Below is the press release issued Wednesday from the commuter rail agency. Metrolink’s Board of Directors approved a $120-million contract to install positive train control systems along its 512-mile rail system in October. Metro, on behalf of Los Angeles County, is one of the five county transit agencies in So Cal that funds Metrolink.

Metrolink Receives $6.6 Million Federal Grant for Positive Train Control

Los Angeles – On Fri., Nov. 19, United States Secretary of Transportation Ray Lahood announced that Metrolink received a $6.6 million Federal Railroad Administration grant to help fund Positive Train Control (PTC) collision avoidance systems. The project will receive money through the new Railroad Safety Technology Grant program.

PTC systems use Global Positioning System technology to monitor and control a train’s movements, in order to enforce speed limits, prevent train collisions and help keep railroad workers and passengers safe.

In a press release, Secretary Lahood said, “This new program will help keep the rails safer by accelerating installation of positive train control technology where it is needed most.”

Six other projects will share the total $50 million in awards. Decisions on the competitively-awarded grants were based on technical merit, including the extent to which a project helps achieve interoperability between technologies and the recipient’s project management capabilities and financial commitment to share costs.

“These funds are critical as we continue our mission to provide the safest rail service in the nation. Because we dispatch trains for all Southern California rail operators, this award benefits the entire region’s transportation network,” said Metrolink Board Chairman Keith Millhouse.

“Metrolink deeply appreciates the support and leadership from Senator Dianne Feinstein, Senator Barbara Boxer and the entire Southern California congressional delegation, including Congressman Henry Waxman, Congressman Adam Schiff and Congressman Elton Gallegly for creating the grant program and Congressman Brad Sherman for authoring a letter in support of Metrolink’s application. Southern California is a better place as a result of their commitment to safety.”

ABOUT METROLINK

Metrolink is Southern California’s regional commuter rail service in its 19th year of operations. The Southern California Regional Rail Authority (SCRRA), a joint powers authority made up of an 11-member board representing the transportation commissions of Los Angeles, Orange, Riverside, San Bernardino and Ventura counties, governs the service. Metrolink operates over seven routes through a six-county, 512 route-mile network.