L.A. Metro, CHSRA Board finalize $423.34 million Link Union Station agreement

The California High-Speed Rail Authority (CHSRA) Board of Directors approved a multi-million-dollar project management and funding agreement with Los Angeles Metropolitan Transportation Authority (L.A. Metro) to modernize the historic LA Union Station through the Link Union Station (Link US) project.

The Link US project will allow trains to enter and exit from both the north and south of the station, which will increase capacity for rail service and reduce train idling times. Additionally, the project will improve connections between Metrolink, Metro Rail and bus services. The project will also accommodate future high-speed rail service and includes a new expanded passageway under the tracks and new platforms, escalators and elevators.

“We applaud the California High Speed Rail Authority Board of Directors for their approval of this important funding agreement of $423.335 million for Metro’s Link Union Station Phase A project, a key funding milestone for the [CHSRA] bookend project here in Southern California,” said L.A. Metro CEO Stephanie N. Wiggins. “Metro remains committed to working closely with the [CHSRA] to bring more investments to improve this vital passenger rail corridor, accommodate for future high-speed rail and promote economic development in the region.”

The final step in the agreement has been nearly six years in the making. CHSRA executed a contract with L.A. Metro to fund a share of the Link US project development costs in May 2016. A year later, in March 2017, CHSRA’s Board approved up to $18.7 million to help fund engineering and technical studies and to environmentally clear a range of investments to help modernize and integrate high-speed rail at Link US.

More than two years later, in September 2019, CHSRA and L.A. Metro agreed to work collaboratively to secure approval of $423 million in Proposition 1A funds towards the Link US project. In April 2020, the CHSRA Board approved a preliminary funding plan that detailed the release of the Proposition 1A funds that were appropriated by the California Legislature.

“Today’s board approval is another example of the amazing progress happening in the Southern California region,” said Southern California Regional Director LaDonna DiCamillo. “We are excited to partner with Metro to enable future high-speed rail service to Los Angeles Union Station.”