Calif.'s OC Streetcar releases invitation for construction bids
Bids are due in March 2018, and the OCTA board is expected to award the construction contract in April.
A rendering of the project, which is estimated to cost $299 million, with funding coming from Measure M, Orange County’s half-cent sales tax for transportation improvements, and a mix of state and federal funding.
OCTA
A rendering of the project, which is estimated to cost $299 million, with funding coming from Measure M, Orange County’s half-cent sales tax for transportation improvements, and a mix of state and federal funding.
OCTA
Plans for Orange County, Calif.’s first modern streetcar took another major step forward this month when the Orange County Transportation Authority board of directors approved the release of an invitation for bids to build the OC Streetcar.
The invitation for bids from contractors marks a significant milestone for the project as it begins the process to select a qualified contractor to build the 4.1-mile streetcar that will run through the heart of Orange County, in Santa Ana and Garden Grove.
A pre-qualification process is already underway to ensure a strong pool of potential contractors with specialized skills required to build a streetcar system. Bids are due in March 2018, and the OCTA board is expected to award the construction contract in April.
“Thoughtful policy, careful planning, and open collaboration are guiding the OC Streetcar project toward construction and we’re excited to reach this next milestone,” said OCTA CEO Darrell Johnson. “We are looking forward to a private-sector partnership that will help bring the vision for Orange County’s first modern streetcar to reality.”
The project is estimated to cost $299 million, with funding coming from Measure M, Orange County’s half-cent sales tax for transportation improvements and a mix of state and federal funding.
The largest funding source is expected to come from federal dollars – $50 million was included in the President’s 2017 budget, and OCTA has been working closely throughout planning and design with the Federal Transit Administration, which is considering a Full Funding Grant Agreement to pay for about half of the project’s cost.
The route will serve Santa Ana’s thriving downtown and dense employment areas that include county and local government offices and courthouses in the Civic Center. The OC Streetcar route will also connect with many of OCTA’s busiest bus routes and Metrolink commuter rail. It is expected to carry more than 7,000 passengers per day within its first year of operation.
Construction on the OC Streetcar is set to begin in fall 2018 with operations beginning in late 2020.
More Rail
Amtrak, CN Reach Agreements to Strengthen Passenger Rail Service, Safety
The agreement resolves a more than decade-long proceeding before the Surface Transportation Board concerning the terms and conditions for Amtrak services, such as the City of New Orleans, Illini/Saluki, and Wolverine.
Read More →
New York MTA Advances Final Contract for Second Avenue Subway Expansion
Contract Four is the largest in the Second Avenue Subway Phase 2 project and includes construction of station infrastructure, tracks, and signals for the subway expansion, MTA officials said. Work on Contract Four will begin in 2027.
Read More →
San Diego MTS Breaks Monthly Trolley Ridership Record
Agency officials said July’s ridership indicates MTS’s continued recovery from the pandemic.
Read More →
Report Examines NJ TRANSIT Reliability, Funding Challenges
The Garden State Initiative analysis examines the roles of Amtrak infrastructure, fleet management, and agency operations while recommending a more performance-based approach to improving reliability.
Read More →
Stadler, CapMetro Sign Long-Term Rail Fleet Support Agreement
Beginning in 2027, Stadler will provide on-site technical expertise, spare parts support, training, and obsolescence management to help extend the reliability and longevity of CapMetro’s GTW fleet.
Read More →
Biz Briefs: Alstom Lands Canadian Contract, LYT to Supply California TSP, and More
In METRO's latest installment, we take a look at recent news from Complete Coach Works, Beep, FlixBus, and more partnerships making headlines across the transportation sector.
Read More →
CATS Gold Line Marks 5 Years of Service, 2.8M Passenger Trips
With a six-mile expansion planned, the Charlotte streetcar is positioned to connect more neighborhoods and major transit hubs across the region.
Read More →
Why Simulating Pedestrian Movement Has Become Essential for Modern Rail Stations
Pedestrian microsimulation is helping rail planners identify bottlenecks, test station designs, and prepare complex transit hubs for growing passenger volumes.
Read More →
Amtrak Begins Major Construction at New York’s Sunnyside Yard
The new maintenance facility will support Amtrak’s Airo trainsets while improving maintenance efficiency and turnaround times in New York.
Read More →
Chicago Leaders Unveil Plans for O’Hare Airport Express Train
The privately developed project would offer a 15-minute trip between downtown and O’Hare’s Terminal 2, with trains operating every 15 minutes on a dedicated track. The service would use battery-electric trains and three existing freight rail rights-of-way.
Read More →