PE ROW

As our county and region continues to grow and expand, it’s a no brainer that alternative modes of transportation would be sought after.

Therefore, it shouldn’t be a surprise that rail is back in the news here among the orange groves, and this time, I mean smack-dab in the middle of the orange groves.

Initiated in March, the Southern California Association of Governments (SCAG) has begun a several month long Transit Alternatives Analysis (AA) for the Pacific Electric Right-of-Way / West Santa Ana Branch Corridor. This study is a large collaboration between SCAG, LACMTA (Metro) and OCTA, with SCAG hiring the consultants (AECOM Inc.), paying the bills ($1.8 million), and publishing the preferred alternative, which will then be presented to the Metro and OCTA Board of Directors.

In the AA, SCAG will determine whether or not potential transit service along the corridor is a viable option to improve intercounty travel, improve transit accessibility, support regional goals and reduce congestion at the same time. Here’s a little background information from SCAG’s fact sheet:

The Pacific Electric Right-of-Way (PE ROW) / West Santa Ana Branch Corridor is a railroad right-of-way that extends for approximately 20 miles between the City of Paramount in Los Angeles County and the City of Santa Ana in Orange County. The railroad corridor was once part of the Pacific Electric Railway, or Red Car, system that provided mass transit service to Southern California from 1901 to 1961. Much of the corridor has been abandoned and is not currently used for mass transit purposes.

SCAG goes on to elaborate on what they will be researching:

The AA will evaluate a broad range of alternatives, including bus rapid transit (BRT) with dedicated bus lanes, light rail transit (LRT), commuter rail, and high speed rail, along with “no-build” and Transportation Systems Management improvements.

As you can see on the map, the PE ROW runs through many OC cities, including Cypress, Anaheim, Stanton, Garden Grove, and Santa Ana, just to name a few. On the north end sits the Metro Blue line and Green line, while the Santa Ana Depot sit on the south end. Can you imagine the possibilities of having a quick, convenient transit connection between these destinations and many more? Well SCAG can! The final question is… can Orange County? read more→