Calif.'s OC Streetcar project takes next step with MOU

Calif.’s OC Streetcar project marked its latest milestone this week as the Orange County Transportation Authority (OCTA) board of directors agreed to a memorandum of understanding with the city of Santa Ana outlining the roles and responsibilities associated with the development, implementation, operations and maintenance of the project.

The OC Streetcar is planned to travel through the cities of Santa Ana and Garden Grove, intended to provide easy connections for people traveling from trains and buses to employment, retail and recreational areas.

The streetcar is planned to operate along a route just longer than four miles.

“This agreement is another big step toward the realization of Orange County’s first modern streetcar,” said Santa Ana Mayor/OCTA Director Miguel Pulido. “The streetcar will improve the way people move through the heart of our county and provide needed transportation alternatives for a modern work environment.”

Up to seven streetcars are planned to run along the route, stopping at 12 stations. By 2035, the streetcar is expected to carry more than 6,000 riders a day. Initial estimates put the project cost at $250 million, with OCTA pursuing local, state and federal funding.

The streetcar is expected to move into the design phase later this year with construction planned to begin in 2017. On the current schedule, the streetcar would begin running in 2019.