New Legs for Light Rail

Transportation officials Tuesday unveiled an optional route for a controversial $2.3-billion light-rail system that would snake among the county’s key commercial and entertainment centers and roll along tracks above city streets.

The redrawn plan marks a new political and regulatory push on the part of the Orange County Transportation Authority to begin construction of the so-called CenterLine rail system within two years. The route--altered after protests--will avoid certain neighborhoods and business districts in Orange and Santa Ana where there was growing opposition to the train’s path.

In the biggest route change, elevated tracks would carry trains along most of the line. Also, tracks would run along Bristol Street instead of South Main Street in Santa Ana. News of this route change cheered some longtime opponents who feared construction on South Main would ruin their businesses. Others said they simply doubted the line was necessary.

“We fought a long time to keep it from coming down Main Street, and it looks like we won,” said David Jasso, owner of American Eagle Auto Repair in Santa Ana. “Now I hope they’ll fight it so it doesn’t go down Bristol. Let’s face it, people around here aren’t going to use it.”

OCTA officials disagree, however, and insist several polls have found that 60% of businesses and residents in the route areas strongly support the rail network. They said that elevating the rail line will help avoid traffic snarls at rail and road intersections, a primary complaint among some opponents.

The route presented Tuesday is one of six variations that OCTA officials have considered during the last 10 years. Although officials are reluctant to call it their preferred route, they conceded that it is the only version that seeks to respond to all previous objections to rail line locations.

Plans call for roughly 30 miles of track between Fullerton and Irvine. Passengers would be ferried at an average of 20 mph to such landmarks as Disneyland, Edison Field, South Coast Plaza, John Wayne Airport and the Irvine Spectrum. The train could reach 60 mph between stops.

Roughly three-quarters of the construction expense would be paid with federal rail and anti-pollution funds. The rest would come from Measure M, the local half-cent sales tax.

Tuesday’s unveiling comes on the heels of the OCTA’s hiring of a new chief executive picked mostly for his experience in gaining support and approval of a 12-mile light-rail system in Minneapolis. Arthur Leahy fought heavy opposition to the planned Hiawatha Line, which is estimated to cost $625 million and is scheduled to be fully funded in January.

Leahy will begin work at a critical time in OCTA’s planning process. Officials will release environmental documents on the proposal Friday and begin collecting public comment. OCTA officials hope to make a final decision on portions of the route by Feb. 15.

“We’re looking forward to his wisdom in this matter,” OCTA spokesman Bill Hodge said. “We’re committed to this schedule.”

OCTA’s board of directors has made development of the CenterLine corridor a priority, saying that its construction was promised during the passage of Measure M. The board estimates the line will draw 82,000 boardings each day by its completion.

The network, which would be built in three phases, is envisioned as part of a larger 87-mile rail network.

Critics complain that the money required to build the rail line would be better spent on road and freeway upgrades. OCTA officials say, however, the CenterLine project will address growing congestion within the heart of Orange County.

“In 20 years, this may be the only way to get around quickly in this area,” Hodge said.