Santa Ana — Design Firm Hired

March 2016

Progressive Railroading reported that RNL Interplan has been hired to provide conceptual design of the Orange County Streetcar's stations. Architects and urban designers will work with the community to develop an appropriate station for each stop along the line.

The Orange County Transit Authority also has issued a Request for Proposals for a firm to manage construction of the streetcar line. OCTA also has approved cooperative agreements with the Cities of Santa Ana and Garden Grove to define financial commitments and respective roles in the design phase

The board's actions are concrete steps to implement the $289 million 4.1-mile OC Streetcar project. The Authority is seeking Federal Transit Administration funding under the New Starts program. State and local sources including a half-cent transportation tax, are also contributing the total cost.

The OC Streetcar will run from the Santa Ana Regional Transportation Center to a new multimodal transit hub in Garden Grove. As many as six modern streetcars will be needed to provide service every 10 minutes in rush hour.

Planners hope to begin construction in 2017 with service starting in 2020.