San Diego MTS receives $48M for Orange Line rail upgrades

The California State Transportation Agency has awarded the San Diego Metropolitan Transit System (MTS) a $48.3 million grant to advance improvements to Orange Line trolley track. 

The grant was awarded through the state's Transit and Intercity Rail Capital Program (TIRCP) that funds projects designed to reduce transit emissions, expand mobility options and improve service in disadvantages communities, MTS officials said in a press release.

MTS will use the grant to fund the second phase of ongoing Orange Line improvements, which improve safety, reliability and long-term state of good repair across 18 miles of track between the Massachusetts Station in the San Diego suburb of Lemon Grove and El Cajon Transit Center in San Diego, said MTS officials.

Project work includes grade crossing safety enhancements, new universal interlocking crossovers and replacement of aging signal interfaces. Construction is anticipated to begin in July. The work will build on the first phase of Orange Line improvements, completed with  2022 TIRCP grant funding.