Commentary

Biden Administration Sides With Labor, Throwing California Transit Grants (and Riders) Under the Bus

In what has become a contest between two groups who strongly back Democrats, the Biden Administration has come out for labor by refusing to certify grants that would help California’s transit providers and, eventually, the state’s riders. The decision by the U.S. Department of Labor (DOL) could eventually affect transit projects in other transit-rich states that are facing financial woes due to the pandemic.

MBTA, OCTA: $1B in ARP Grants for COVID-19 Response

The Federal Transit Administration has awarded American Rescue Plan (ARP) Act of 2021 grants for COVID-19 response to Massachusetts Bay Transportation Authority (MBTA, $859.6 million) and Orange County (Calif.) Transportation Authority (OCTA, $163.9 million).

Transit Briefs: CTA, OCTA

The Chicago Transit Authority (CTA) is receiving $13.96 million for emergency preparedness as part of a U.S. Department Homeland Security (DHS) grant to the state of Illinois. Also, the Orange County (Calif.) Transportation Authority (OCTA) will begin work this month on a $29.86 million Metrolink station improvement project at Anaheim Canyon.

Orange County streetcar breaks ground as FTA signs for funding

Construction began Nov. 30 on the Orange County Transportation Authority’s 4.1-mile streetcar project in Santa Ana, the same day the project was fully funded.

Siemens selected for OC Streetcar

The Orange County Transportation Authority (OCTA) has awarded a $51.5 million contract to Siemens Industry for eight S70 low-floor light rail vehicles for the OC Streetcar project, construction of which is expected to begin later this year.

OCTA chooses HNTB for new streetcar line

California’s Orange County Transportation Authority (OCTA) has appointed HTNB to design a 4.16-mile streetcar line linking Santa Ana Regional Transportation Center, through Downtown Santa Ana and the Civic Center, along a former Pacific Electric Railway right-of-way, to a new multimodal transit hub at Harbor Boulevard and Westminster Avenue in Garden Grove.

OCTA awards streetcar contract to HNTB

The Orange County Transportation Authority (OCTA) board of directors has selected HNTB Corporation to design the OC Streetcar project.