By The Record
STOCKTON - Local transit agencies have millions of dollars on the way to keep trains and buses running more smoothly, according to federal and local officials.
Of the nearly $1 billion in economic stimulus funding awards announced Wednesday, local agencies are set to receive $13 million.
The $6 million on the way to Altamont Commuter Express will help keep up the locomotive fleet and make changes that can help ward off delays, according to the San Joaquin Regional Rail Commission, which operates the ACE train.
About half the money will be used toward paying for regular overhauls to the ACE locomotives, decreasing emissions and increasing reliability, said Brian Schmidt, planning director.
"It's like having the engine rebuilt on your car," he said.
The rest of the money will go toward building about 8,000 feet of track in an area of thick rail traffic south of Stockton. One benefit of the new track is that it can be used to make more room for ACE to get around freight trains in the area.
Some of the $6.9 million going to RTD will help design a regional operations center and develop a new express-bus corridor.
But the bulk of the money - $4.8 million - is for preventive maintenance, according to RTD.
The local projects were among 77 grants totaling $909.4 million from American Recovery and Reinvestment Act announced Wednesday, according to the U.S. Department of Transportation.
Local transit agencies submitted applications through regional transportation authorities, such as the San Joaquin Council of Governments.
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