WASHINGTON, D.C. — U.S. Secretary of Transportation Norman Y. Mineta announced on September 27 a $59.4 million grant in Federal Transit Administration (FTA) funds to the Metropolitan Transit Development Board in San Diego, CA for the Mission Valley East Light Rail Transit extension.
“President Bush has proposed $7.2 billion for the Federal Transit Program as part of the FY 2003 budget, further reinforcing the Administration’s commitment to efficient public transportation as a strategic investment,” said Secretary Mineta. “This grant strengthens that commitment and will help the Metropolitan Transit Development Board provide safe and reliable transit services to the residents of San Diego and surrounding areas.”
The grant awarded today, in the amount of $59,400,785, will fund the Mission Valley East Light Rail Transit extension. The project will extend the San Diego Trolley system 5.9 miles along the I-8 corridor eastward from the current Blue Line Mission San Diego station in San Diego to the Grossmont Center station in La Mesa for a connection with the Orange Line. In addition, four new stations will be built at Grantville, San Diego State University, Alvarado Medical Center and 70th Street. The project also includes the purchase of 11 new light rail vehicles. Service is scheduled to begin in 2005 and by 2015 the project is expected to serve 10,800 daily riders.
With today’s grant, and a previous FTA commitment of $53,312,430, the total amount of federal funds provided to date is $112,713,215.