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Obama Signs Transportation Bill, Metrolink Receives Safety Funds
Photo by LA Wad via LAist Featured Photos on Flickr
The $1.1 trillion Transportation and Urban Development Appropriations Bill has been signed by President Barack Obama and that means some funds are headed to Southern California. Some of that money includes funding for Metrolink. $1.637 million in Congressionally-directed spending was approved for Metrolink rail safety. More specifically:
- $400,000 was approved for grade crossing improvements in Los Angeles County along the Ventura subdivision.
- $750,000 was appropriated for grade crossing improvements from Simi Valley - Moorpark.
- $487,000 was appropriated for Metrolink Positive Train Control projects, which help stop trains from colliding automatically.
There's also $5 million in New Starts funding for the Perris Valley Line extension in Riverside County.
There's an additional $50 million that's been appropriated for Positive Train Control grants, which Metrolink will apply for. After the 2008 Chatsworth crash that left 25 people dead, the technology has become a priority for the agency.
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