Barger Reacts to $8M State Grant Awarded to High Desert Corridor Rail Project
Aerial rendering of High Desert Corridor Rail Project Palmdale Station
Los Angeles County Supervisor Kathryn Barger issued the following statement today, following Governor Newsom’s recent announcement that awarded $8 million for the High Desert Corridor Intercity High-Speed Rail Project (HDC Rail) from Cycle 6 of the Transit and Intercity Rail Capital Grant Program:
“This investment from the California State Transportation Agency will enable our Joint Powers Authority to leverage additional local and Federal funding to move this project another important step closer to construction. It also reflects the state’s recognition of the important role this project fulfills in dramatically improving mobility for millions of county and state residents.
My commitment to continue building momentum for this critical project as Chair of the HDC Joint Powers Authority is steady and unwavering. I thank Governor Newsom and California State Transportation Agency Secretary Omishakin for their support, along with the numerous partners and stakeholders who backed this successful grant application. This critical investment in Los Angeles and San Bernardino counties’ high desert communities will benefit generations for the foreseeable future.”
In addition to this $8 million award, earlier this year, the LA Metro Board approved the use of $8.5 million in sales tax funds earmarked for the project through the voter approved Measure M Ordinance as a local match for the grant application. The $16.5 million total will be used for preliminary engineering to reach the 30% design milestone and other activities that are critical next steps in the project development path to construction.
