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Sacramento RT Opens Blue Line Extension; System Now Totals 43 Miles on Three Lines
The Sacramento Regional Transit District (RT) marked the grand opening of its new Blue Line light rail extension to Cosumnes River College (CRC)—a month ahead of schedule—with a community celebration Aug. 23 and the official grand opening ceremony the following day.
“The future of the Sacramento region’s economy, air quality and overall quality of life are inextricably linked to the transportation choices that we make,” said RT General Manager/Chief Executive Officer Mike Wiley. “RT and the Los Rios Community College District worked cooperatively to achieve milestones to advance transportation options for Cosumnes River College students and the surrounding communities. The 4.3-mile extension of the Blue Line—completed ahead of schedule and under budget—is truly a great accomplishment for higher education and public transit in the Sacramento region.”
FTA Acting Administrator Therese McMillan, who attended the Aug. 24 event, said, “California’s capital region needs and deserves a robust public transportation network that connects residents to employment opportunities downtown, as well as South Sacramento and other destinations throughout Sacramento County. With continued population growth expected in the coming decades, Sacramento’s expanded light rail system will bring much-needed world-class transit options to this growing region.”
The opening of the new line, which brings the total light rail system to 43 miles on three lines with 54 stations, coincides with the start of the fall semester for Cosumnes River College and the Los Rios Community College District campuses.
“The completion of RT’s Blue Line to Cosumnes River College is a major milestone in growing Sacramento’s transportation system,” said Rep. Doris Matsui (D-CA), adding that the extension will also provide much-needed congestion relief.
The extension runs from the current terminus at Meadowview Road to Cosumnes River College in south Sacramento, and adds four new stations: Morrison Creek, which opens in 2017, Franklin, Center Parkway and Cosumnes River College, along with more than 2,700 park-and-ride spaces, two pedestrian bridges connecting neighborhoods to light rail and a bus/light rail transit center at CRC.
The community event on the CRC campus featured live entertainment, food trucks, community booths, children’s activities, drawings, giveaways and train rides. The opening ceremony at the same location featured the arrival of the celebratory train.
RT projected that the new extension will add 2,880 additional daily boardings on the Blue Line.
FTA contributed $135 million toward the $270 million total project cost through its Capital Investment Grant Program and an additional $7.1 million in other DOT funds. The remaining cost was covered by state and local funds.
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Arriving at opening-day ceremonies on the first train of Sacramento’s Blue Line light rail extension are, from left, FTA Acting Administrator Therese McMillan, Rep. Doris Matsui and Sacramento Regional Transit District General Manager/CEO Mike Wiley.
Photo by Tia Gemmell |
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