09
November
2022
|
15:01 PM
America/Los_Angeles

Metrolink Breaks Ground on SCORE Project to Improve Regional Rail Service

Burbank Junction Speed Improvement Project Will Reduce Travel Times to Allow for Potentially More Frequent Train Operation

Groundbreaking Shovel

LOS ANGELES - Today, Metrolink held a groundbreaking ceremony at the Burbank-Downtown Station to mark the start of the Burbank Junction Speed Improvement Project. The project is part of Phase 1 of the agency’s Southern California Optimized Rail Expansion (SCORE) program and aims to reduce travel times by allowing for increased speeds and more efficient operations. These improvements will lay the groundwork for the potential to provide passengers with wait times of no more than 30 minutes. 

“By improving track infrastructure, the Burbank Junction Speed Improvement Project is an important step toward greater regional mobility, while delivering economic growth through new jobs,” Metrolink Board Chair Ara Najarian said. “Metrolink appreciates its partnership with the City of Burbank on this enhancement and looks forward to working with other cities and agencies as our SCORE projects evolve.” 

The Burbank Junction Speed Improvement Project, located north of the Burbank-Downtown Station, will realign a portion of existing main line track, reconfigure and lengthen track, improve and replace approximately one half mile of existing track and install new right of way safety fencing.  

“It’s an exciting day for Metrolink as we begin work on this project that will eventually deliver more efficient train travel in the region, especially for riders along our Antelope Valley and Ventura County lines,” Metrolink CEO Darren Kettle said. “Metrolink’s SCORE program will, over the next few years, add more track while improving grade crossings, stations, and signals for our riders and in preparation for the 2028 Olympic and Paralympic Games.” 

The Burbank Junction Speed Improvement Project is funded by the California State Transportation Agency (CalSTA) through Transit and Intercity Rail Capital Program (TIRCP). Construction is scheduled to be completed in the Summer of 2023. For more information, please visit: metrolinktrains.com/SCORE. 

Press conference speaker quotes: 

Senator Anthony Portantino (25th District)  

"The Burbank Junction Speed Improvement project will bring new jobs, environmental benefits, and increased usage of regional public transportation,” said Senator Anthony Portantino. “Fewer vehicles on the road means fewer accidents and reduced air pollution and emissions. The improvements and updates will have significant positive impacts on our communities throughout the 25th Senate District for decades to come.”

Assemblymember Laura Friedman (D-Glendale) 

“The state’s Transit and Intercity Rail Capital Program (TIRCP) was created to fund transformative capital improvements that will modernize California’s rail, bus, and ferry transit systems to reduce greenhouse gas emissions significantly, vehicle miles traveled, and congestion,” said Assemblymember Laura Friedman (D-Glendale). “Transportation touches everything, and the work of TIRCP and SCORE advance the effort to create safe, equitable and sustainable transit solutions that positively impact housing issues, access to job opportunities, and our health.”

L.A. County Supervisor and Metrolink Board Member Kathryn Barger

"Every day our service takes thousands of vehicles off our highways and local roads. But we have only scratched the surface of what Metrolink can achieve," said L.A. County Supervisor and Metrolink Board Member Kathryn Barger. " Our service will play an ever-increasing and important role in people’s ability to move around the region. So, I view this project as a first step in a great leap forward and I am so proud to celebrate it."

Mayor Jess Talamantes (City of Burbank)  

“Metrolink’s Burbank Junction Speed Improvements Project will be a tremendous benefit to our city,” said City of Burbank Mayor Jess Talamantes. “On behalf of the City Council, I congratulate Metrolink on the groundbreaking of this milestone and look forward to our continued partnership in providing safer operations and increased service speeds for our community.”

For B-roll click 

For images click

For new Metrolink logo click here

Boilerplate

About Metrolink (metrolinktrains.com)

Metrolink regional passenger rail service offers reliable, safe, affordable and environmentally sustainable transportation throughout Southern California. Metrolink has 545.6 total service line miles and 66 stations across Los Angeles, Orange, Riverside, San Bernardino, Ventura and San Diego counties connecting people, communities, and businesses and is an essential link in the region’s mobility network. Metrolink’s Arrow service, which launched in October 2022 with nine miles of track and four new stations between San Bernardino and Redlands, provides greater local and regional rail connectivity.

# # #