OCTA Approves CenterLine Light-Rail Route Between Santa Ana and John Wayne Airport

Board votes 9-2 to proceed with work on initial segment

ORANGE -- After hearing testimony from 75 elected officials, business leaders and community members during a five-hour meeting, the Orange County Transportation Authority board of directors voted 9-2 to support a CenterLine light-rail route between the Depot at Santa Ana and John Wayne Airport.

The 8-mile initial operating segment will have seven stations and will connect at the Depot at Santa Ana with Amtrak and Metrolink commuter trains as well as several OCTA bus routes.

"OCTA's decision to proceed with the CenterLine project represents a major milestone for Orange County, " said OCTA Chairman Tim Keenan. "CenterLine is a crucial link in a balanced transportation system that will serve Orange County residents for years to come."

The board considered a variety of alternatives to CenterLine during the meeting, including a bus rapid transit system, light-rail lines to western and northern Orange County, increased Metrolink service, and shifting money to other highway and road projects. Of the 75 speakers who attended the meeting, nearly two-thirds voiced support for the CenterLine route between Santa Ana and John Wayne Airport.

The revised CenterLine route will cost between $900 million and $1 billion to build and is expected to carry 15,000 to 20,000 riders per day when it opens in 2008.

In a related motion, the board voted unanimously to explore options for increasing the frequency of Metrolink commuter rail service between Fullerton and Laguna Niguel to offer day and evening service every 30 minutes, seven days a week.