OCTA Formally Shelves Light-Rail Project for Now

The Orange County Transportation Authority formally mothballed its controversial $2.3-billion CenterLine rail project Monday, following a recommendation from the authority’s newly hired chief executive.

The action follows more than a month of intense criticism of the project, which seeks to connect Fullerton and Irvine with a 30-mile rail network for commuters, shoppers and tourists. Last week, OCTA Chief Executive Arthur Leahy recommended the authority halt work on the line because it lacked the full support of cities, businesses and residents along the proposed route.

Until recently, light-rail advocates believed they had lined up backing for the rail line. However, numerous community groups and city officials complained that the rail system would destroy neighborhoods, waste transportation dollars and do little to decrease traffic and air pollution.

On Monday, some OCTA directors said the agency failed because it focused on courting elected officials and not residents. “There needs to be more outreach. I think we were definitely lacking,” said Laurann Cook, an OCTA board member and Fountain Valley councilwoman. “I think we need to actually go into neighborhoods and talk to people.”

It remains unclear when or if the authority will revive the proposal. Leahy has said halting the project will allow the authority to reassess the need for the rail line and give advocates the chance to build support.

Michael Ward, OCTA chairman and an Irvine councilman, has said the break will be a short one and insists the project has not been abandoned.

“I don’t want to see word out there that our last try has failed,” Ward told board members. “What we’re doing is postponing preliminary engineering until we get support from the cities. I believe light rail has a future in Orange County.”

CenterLine critics were cheered by the news Monday, but said they remain skeptical.

“I’m happy that they stopped, but I’m not sure it’s over,” said Amalia Aguilar, a Santa Ana resident who lives along the proposed route. “I’m pretty sure they’re still going to try to sneak something through. They’re just going to wait for people to calm down a little before they do it.”

The proposed light-rail line was projected to carry 40,000 passengers a day, roughly 1% of the county’s commuter load.