Three southern California transportation projects are slated to receive more than $1.3 billion in federal grant funding, noting the allocation would greatly aid city transit modernization efforts.
Sen. Dianne Feinstein (D-CA) recently announced the funding allotment in which Los Angeles County was awarded $1.3 billion for the Purple Line Extension Project, the Port of Los Angeles received $18.2 million to add 11,500 feet of track and increase the capacity of an existing railyard and the Port of Long Beach was awarded $14.5 million to improve capacity at the Terminal Island Wye rail junction by adding and replacing rails.
“I’d like to thank (Department of Transportation) Secretary (Elaine) Chao for this critical Purple Line funding that will help alleviate LA congestion,” Feinstein said. “Once finished, the Purple Line extension will mean 80,000 more trips on Metro and shorten the trip from Westwood to downtown to just 25 minutes. Connecting downtown LA with the Westside is crucial to modernizing the city’s transit system.”
Feinstein said she is also pleased to see the ports of Los Angeles and Long Beach awarded grants to modernize their operations.
LA Metro CEO Phillip A. Washington expressed appreciation to Feinstein for the funding agreement’s support.
“This new transit line, when fully constructed, will revolutionize the ability to connect the Westside with the rest of Los Angeles County’s growing rail and bus networks,” he said. “In addition to Sen. Feinstein championing this transit project, I want to express my sincere thanks to members of the Los Angeles County Congressional Delegation, Secretary Elaine Chao and Acting FTA Administrator K. Jane Williams. The partnership between Metro, our federal elected officials in Los Angeles County, and the U.S. Department of Transportation has been seamless on this project.”