Santa Clara Valley Transportation Authority: Federal Budget Allocates a Half Billion Dollars to VTA’s BART Silicon Valley Extension Project 
The U.S. Federal Transit Administration (FTA) has announced that $500 million is officially in the federal budget to be used toward a Full Funding Grant Agreement (FFGA) for the BART Silicon Valley Extension project. The funding allocation demonstrates the federal government’s commitment to this nationally important infrastructure project.
“It is a sign of incredible confidence that the FTA and the President of the United States are interested in this project,” said VTA Board Chair and Santa Clara County Supervisor Cindy Chavez. “This $500 million dollar (investment) inches us closer to getting this project completed.”
This significant federal funding allocation is the first funding commitment for the project through the FTA’s New Starts Funding Program. VTA will submit its formal request for approximately $6 billion, roughly 50% of the project cost, through the FTA funding program later this summer with the expectation of completing the full funding agreement with the FTA before the end of the year. The FFGA will outline the terms, timeline and annual allocations VTA will receive. The other half of the project cost is already committed with local and state funds.
“VTA has worked cooperatively with the FTA to advance through the rigorous FTA funding process,” said VTA General Manager and CEO Carolyn Gonot. “This half a billion dollar commitment demonstrates not only that we are on the right track, but that we are in line with FTA guidelines and expectations. It’s great news,” Gonot said.
“The federal government is investing in the future of San Jose and the entire region,” said Mayor Matt Mahan. “It just makes sense to connect the Bay Area’s two largest commuter rail systems in the metro area projected to see the greatest growth in jobs and housing in Northern California between now and 2050.”
The largest single public infrastructure project ever constructed in Santa Clara County, VTA's BART Silicon Valley will extend BART service six miles from the Berryessa Transit Center into downtown San José with an underground tunnel, ending in the City of Santa Clara. It will significantly contribute to economic vitality, cleaner air and reduced traffic for commuters as well as other positive impacts in Silicon Valley.
“Every single great city in the world has multiple ways that people can move goods and services quickly, effectively and efficiently. And this allows, literally, the heart of Silicon Valley to be connected to our greater region,” said Chavez.
LA Metro: Go Metro during Bike Month! Here’s How Riders Joined in the Fun
When you hear the name, LA Metro, you might first think about buses and trains, but those are only two ways the agency helps you get around. May is Bike Month, and LA Metro has a calendar full of events, promotions, and savings in store! But first, a few facts:
- Since 2016, there are 225 Bike Share stations in areas throughout LA County, fielding a brigade of more than 1,800 bikes (both classic and electric) that you can rent, ride, and enjoy. Last year, LA Metro provided over 441,000 rides.
- LA Metro also plans bikeways along key regional corridors and support cities as they develop facilities. As of 2022, there are 1,894 bike lanes and paths throughout LA County, with more on the way.
- They have also partnered with Bike Hub, an independent contractor, to create Metro Bike Hubs –– secure bike self-parking, maintenance and service stations. Bike Hubs are located at Union Station, Hollywood and Vine, Culver City, and Willowbrook/Rosa Parks station.
- Want to combine bus, rail, and bike? LA Metro has made it easy! All Metro buses have front loading bike racks, and you are also welcome to bring bikes on board our trains. It’s a great way to experience the city from a new point of view. Read a first-person account here.
Monterey-Salinas Transit (MST) and the City of Monterey Continue Partnership to Provide Monterey Summer Trolley Service for the Next 10 years
Monterey-Salinas Transit (MST) and the City of Monterey are pleased to announce that the popular Fast, Fun & Free MST Monterey Trolley will continue to be available during the summer tourist season to both residents and visitors for the next 10 years.
The MST Monterey Trolley first started operating in 2004, evolving from the Waterfront Area Visitor Express (WAVE) shuttle bus service, which started in 1993 through a partnership between MST, the City of Monterey, and the Monterey Bay Aquarium.
The MST Monterey Trolley has transported over 4 million passengers through the areas of Downtown Monterey, Fisherman’s Wharf, Cannery Row, the Aquarium, and many great points in between.
According to a survey conducted by the Monterey Bay Aquarium, over 75% of trolley passengers had cars that were parked while they rode the trolley – many of those cars were parked in parking garages and some in hotel parking lots. An earlier MST survey revealed that 55% of respondents would have driven their own car to reach their Monterey Peninsula destination if the trolley wasn’t available, and 5% would not have made the trip at all if it weren’t for the availability of the MST Monterey Trolley.
MST General Manager/CEO Carl Sedoryk said, “The MST Trolley benefits visitors and residents by reducing the number of cars on the already busy streets. The reduction of greenhouse gas emissions and microplastics from automobile tire wear that find their way to the Monterey Bay Marine Sanctuary is a benefit everyone, everywhere can appreciate. Working together with partners like the City of Monterey and Monterey Bay Aquarium to connect visitors to the amazing sites of the Monterey Peninsula in an environmentally friendly and responsible way couldn’t feel better, and we can’t wait to see all the smiling faces on board the Fast, Fun, and Free MST Monterey Trolley!”
“The City of Monterey will continue its partnership with MST for another decade”, stated Monterey City Manager Hans Uslar. “Our primary goal is to reduce congestion, and the summer trolley achieves that goal while providing an amenity to locals and tourists alike.”
The City of Monterey funds $452,000 annually for the trolley, with an additional contribution of $117,700 from the Monterey Bay Aquarium. The financial backing by the City of Monterey reflects its commitment to support local businesses, enhance the visitor experience, and reduce traffic congestion for its residents, all while being kind to our planet.
The free trolley operates each summer, running from Memorial Day to Labor Day.
San Diego Metropolitan Transit System (MTS) and Affirmed Housing Celebrate Completion of New Transit-Oriented Development
Affirmed Housing, a leading provider of affordable, multifamily housing throughout California, and the Metropolitan Transit System (MTS) are pleased to announce the completion of ShoreLINE, a new, 100% affordable, transit-oriented housing development for households earning between 30 and 60 percent of the area median income (AMI).
The new $62.6 million affordable housing community is located at the Grantville Transit Center on Alvarado Canyon Road. A grand opening celebration was held on April 30 with Mayor Todd Gloria, MTS Board Chair and San Diego City Councilmember Stephen Whitburn, Councilmember Raul Campillo and regional housing leaders in attendance.
“ShoreLINE is another example of how MTS is repurposing park and ride locations to provide much-needed relief to our region’s housing crisis,” said Stephen Whitburn, MTS Board Chair and San Diego City Councilmember. “This transit-oriented development has proven to be a successful opportunity for the public and private sectors to partner to offer affordable housing along with sustainable transit options for San Diegans.”
ShoreLINE was developed to support residents’ holistic healthy living and wellbeing. The new, seven-story building features 126 studio, one-, two- and three-bedroom apartment homes and a wide array of amenities and services to foster community engagement and enhance quality of life goals.
“I am proud to support ShoreLINE because it prioritizes hard-working, lower-income San Diegans and their families by delivering homes that they can afford along with the resources that will enhance their quality of life,” said Mayor Todd Gloria. “Being located directly at a trolley stop will provide residents with easy access to transit and help the City reach its climate goals. I appreciate the work Affirmed Housing and MTS are doing to bring ShoreLINE and other transit-oriented projects like it to fruition.”
Shared indoor amenities include laundry facilities on every level, bike storage, a computer lab, kitchen and a community room with gathering space. ShoreLINE’s outside space includes parking, an expansive courtyard, outdoor gardens and additional gathering spaces with built-in seating, an enclosed tot-lot play area and a barbecue station. A large paseo leading to the main entrance and several paths through and around the building connect to the transit station to encourage pedestrian and bike activity.
ShoreLINE is part of a larger plan to redevelop MTS’ top-tier park and ride locations into transit-oriented developments. The site replaces an existing MTS parking lot, with the affordable development situated on the western half and a separate, neighboring, market-rate development for students, developed by Greystar, located on the eastern side of the lot.
ShoreLINE is one of four affordable housing projects that stem from an Affirmed Housing and MTS partnership. The team recently broke ground on SkyLINE, located at the Rancho Bernardo Transit Station, which will include 100 affordable apartment homes and roughly 14,000 square feet of commercial space that will be Affirmed Housing’s new corporate headquarters.
Additionally, MTS has existing transit-oriented developments at the Morena Linda Vista Station, Grossmont Station, 62nd Street Station, 47th Street Station and Grantville Station with 1,155 completed and occupied apartment homes with an additional 100 currently under construction.
Orange County Transportation Authority (OCTA): Sand Nourishment a Key Piece in OCTA’s Update to Initial Solutions for Coastal Rail Resiliency
Following multiple listening sessions, OCTA Board feedback, and other stakeholder input, OCTA unveiled updated plans that include sand nourishment, rock revetment, and a wall to protect the most vulnerable section of rail line through San Clemente.
OCTA has updated its potential solutions to address immediate threats to rail service through San Clemente, and sand nourishment – always under consideration – is a key piece in the coastal rail protection puzzle.
The updated potential solutions were detailed in a report presented to the agency’s Regional Transportation Planning Committee on Monday, May 6, and to the full Board of Directors on May 13. The updates came following multiple listening sessions, OCTA Board feedback, and other stakeholder input on OCTA’s Coastal Rail Resiliency Study – an effort to protect a critical link in Southern California’s rail infrastructure.
“As we’ve said throughout the study process, sand is part of the solution as eroding beaches continue to pose a threat to rail operations,” said OCTA CEO Darrell E. Johnson. “In response to the feedback to date, we refined our initial concepts and included sand, along with riprap, a wall, and engineered revetment in the most vulnerable areas to give us a clearer picture of what solutions could look like.”
OCTA’s CEO had an opportunity to discuss this effort earlier this week in Sacramento at a hearing of the State Senate Transportation Subcommittee on LOSSAN Rail Corridor Resiliency. The subcommittee, chaired by Sen. Catherine Blakespear (D-Encinitas), also included testimony from local, regional and state officials.
In his comments, Johnson underscored the importance of involving multiple stakeholders – from the community, from regulatory agencies, and others in developing and determining a successful path forward.
OCTA’s Coastal Rail Resiliency Study aims to evaluate and implement short- and medium-term strategies to protect the railway in the vulnerable 7-mile stretch between Dana Point and the San Diego County Line and to keep rail traffic moving through the area for up to the next 30 years, while longer-term solutions are explored.
The updated initial assessment to be presented Monday identifies areas along that stretch in need of reinforcement and monitoring, to prevent additional soil and debris from privately owned hillsides falling into the rail right-of-way. The potential solutions for the immediate threat areas are meant to protect the track from threats on the coastal and inland side caused by erosion and storm surges, among other risks.
The updated potential solutions for immediate reinforcement include but are not limited to providing sand nourishment in conjunction with building additional catchment walls and engineering placement of large protective boulders (known as riprap), where appropriate.
The immediate goal is to address the areas identified in need of reinforcement as soon as possible before the next storm season arrives. OCTA will continue to work with local, state and federal partners and explore all funding options. Rough estimates on the updated potential solutions range from approximately $210 million to $340 million depending on multiple factors including the permitting process, and availability of materials, and specialized equipment, including sourcing and delivery methods for sand nourishment. In conjunction with the other potential solutions, approximately 500,000 cubic yards of sand have been identified as needed, enough to cover 285 football fields in one foot of sand.
At the same time as the initial assessment is moving forward, OCTA continues working on the Coastal Rail Resiliency Study, meeting with groups of stakeholders in individual listening sessions to discuss the study and get input along the way. A public meeting to gain additional feedback is set from 5 to 6:30 p.m. on May 30, at San Clemente City Hall.
These concepts, developed with community input, are scheduled to be presented later this year, then refined, before a draft plan to address protecting the rail line in place for the next 10 to 30 years goes to the OCTA Board in 2025.
Because California continues to grapple with the increasing prevalence of storm-related damage to its transportation infrastructure, OCTA recognizes the importance of adaptive strategies to maintain safe and efficient rail services.
OCTA will also work with all partners and stakeholders to explore long-term solutions for protecting rail movement for generations to come – solutions that could eventually include moving the rail line inland. As part of those long-term efforts, OCTA is advocating for state-led capital project effort to address concerns along the 351-mile LOSSAN corridor to safeguard the future of rail transportation across the region.