SAN CARLOS, Calif. — Caltrain will receive $43 million for its electrification project from the omnibus spending bill passed by Congress and awaiting the signature of President Joe Biden, the commuter rail agency said.
The federal money will help fill a funding gap in the project expected to be completed in 2024.
“The electrification of Caltrain is one of the most important milestones in Caltrain’s nearly 160 year history,” Caltrain Executive Director Michelle Bouchard said in a statement thanking members of the California congressional delegation for securing the funds. “We are one step closer thanks to our supporters who truly know what this means in terms of addressing climate change and providing the modernized transportation service that our communities deserve.”
The funds include $10 million secured by U.S. Sens. Dianne Feinstein and Alex Padilla as a community project and $33 million under the Federal Transit Adminstration’s Capital Investment Grant program.
The project seeking additional sources to address a remaining $367 million funding gap, including money from California’s Transit and Intercity Rail Capital Program, which has up to $1.3 billion available. Those funds are expected to be awarded by the end of January.
