OC Streetcar

{{Short description|Under construction streetcar line in Orange County, California}}

{{Use American English|date=April 2024}}

{{Use mdy dates|date=April 2024}}

{{Infobox rail line

| color = {{rcr|Orange County Transportation Authority|SC}}

| name = OC Streetcar

| logo = Oc-streetcar-logo.svg

| logo_width = 150px

| image = Ocstreetcar09.jpg

| caption = Fairview St station under construction in March 2025

| type = Streetcar

| locale = Santa Ana and Garden Grove, California

| start = Santa Ana Regional Transportation Center

| end = Harbor Transit Center

| stations = 10

| daily_ridership =

| website = [http://www.octa.net/Projects-and-Programs/All-Projects/Rail-Projects/OC-Streetcar/ OC Streetcar]

| status = Under construction

| planopen = {{Start date and age|2026|3}}

| owner = Orange County Transportation Authority

| operator = Herzog Transit Services

| character =

| stock = Siemens S700{{cite web|last=Vantuono|first=William C.|url=https://www.railwayage.com/passenger/light-rail/siemens-selected-oc-streetcar/|access-date=March 29, 2018|title=Siemens selected for OC Streetcar|publisher=Railway Age|date=March 28, 2018}}{{efn|name=retroactive-rebrand|These were model S70 when the order was placed, but in 2020 were retroactively rebranded as model S700 by Siemens.{{cite news |author= |title=Siemens rebadges North American low-floor cars |date=September 2020 |magazine=Tramways & Urban Transit |page=336 |publisher=Mainspring Enterprises Ltd. |location=UK |number=993 |issn=1460-8324 }}}}

| linelength = {{convert|4.15|mi|km|0|abbr=on}}

| tracklength =

| tracks =

| gauge = {{track gauge|ussg|allk=on}}

| minradius =

| electrification = Overhead lines, 750 V DC

| speed = {{Cvt|11.3|mph}} ({{Abbr|avg.|average speed, including stops}})
{{Cvt|44|mph}} (top)

| map = {{switcher

| {{maplink-road|from=OC Streetcar.map}} OC Streetcar highlighted in orange


| Show interactive map

| {{OC Streetcar|inline=yes}}

| Show route diagram

}}

}}

The OC Streetcar is a modern streetcar line currently under construction in Orange County, California, running through the cities of Santa Ana and Garden Grove. The electric-powered streetcar will be operated by the Orange County Transportation Authority (OCTA), and will serve ten stops in each direction along its {{convert|4.15|mi|km|adj=on}} route.{{cite web|url=http://octa.net/Projects-and-Programs/All-Projects/Rail-Projects/OC-Streetcar/|title=OC Streetcar|publisher=Orange County Transportation Authority|access-date=August 6, 2017}}

With the exception of a short loop in downtown Santa Ana, the line will be double-tracked for its entire length. Most of the route follows the original path of the Pacific Electric Railway "Red Cars" that served Santa Ana in the early 20th century, before being abandoned in 1950. Construction on the streetcar broke ground on November 30, 2018.{{cite news |title=OC And Federal Officials Celebrate Groundbreaking For Streetcar Project |url=https://losangeles.cbslocal.com/2018/11/30/oc-and-federal-officials-celebrate-groundbreaking-for-streetcar-project/ |access-date=December 3, 2018 |agency=KCAL9 |date=November 30, 2018}} As of October 2023, the line's expected revenue service date has been pushed to March 2026, per OCTA staff, despite initial plans for a 2021 start.{{citation |title=OC Streetcar Funding and Schedule Update and Amendments to Supporting Agreements |url=https://octa.legistar.com/View.ashx?M=F&ID=13741347&GUID=9CA7CFCB-32B1-4F79-92B5-5F9A66F4DBBA |access-date=March 17, 2025 |date=February 13, 2025 |page=4}}

The streetcar will operate between the Santa Ana Regional Transportation Center to a new Harbor Transit Center in Garden Grove, linking the Metrolink station and downtown Santa Ana.

Route

The streetcar's planned eastern terminus is the Santa Ana Regional Transportation Center, which is served by Metrolink commuter rail and the Amtrak Pacific Surfliner, as well as a number of bus routes.

From the train station, the streetcar route runs west along Santa Ana Boulevard to downtown Santa Ana and the Santa Ana Civic Center, the main administrative center for the City of Santa Ana and the County of Orange, where an estimated 38,000 jobs are located. The route will split at Mortimer Street onto existing one-way streets with westbound service continuing on Santa Ana Boulevard through Civic Center, while returning eastbound service will travel on 4th Street (two blocks south), through the Arts District.{{cite web|url=http://octa.net/pdf/OCTAStreetcarMap.pdf|title=OCTA Streetcar Map|publisher=Orange County Transportation Authority|date=July 25, 2017|access-date=August 6, 2017}}

After rejoining at Ross Street near the Santa Ana City Hall, the line will continue west along Santa Ana Boulevard to Raitt Street, where it will continue on the former Pacific Electric West Santa Ana Branch right-of-way along the north side of 4th Street. Turning northwest, the line will cross over the Santa Ana River and Westminster Avenue on bridges.

At the northwest end of the line, it will briefly enter the city of Garden Grove where an intermodal transit center will be constructed at the line's terminus at the intersection of Westminster Avenue and Harbor Boulevard.{{cite web|url=https://www.octa.net/News/Freeways/Future-is-on-Track-for-OC-Streetcar-Project/|title=Future is on Track for OC Streetcar Project|publisher=Orange County Transportation Authority|date=May 11, 2015|access-date=August 6, 2017}} The transit center will connect streetcars to OCTA's Harbor Boulevard bus routes, which are the busiest in the county, accounting for about 8 percent of OCTA's ridership{{cite web|url=http://octa.net/Projects-and-Programs/Plans-and-Studies/Central-Harbor-Boulevard-Transit-Corridor-Study/?frm=8969|title=Central Harbor Boulevard Transit Corridor Study|publisher=Orange County Transportation Authority|access-date=August 6, 2017}} and Westminster Avenue bus routes.

Operations and infrastructure

File:OC Streetcar Map.png

The streetcar will operate as a curbside, street running system between the Santa Ana station and Raitt Street; west of there, it will operate in a dedicated right-of-way. The streetcar is proposed to operate from 6 a.m. to 11 p.m. Monday through Thursday; 6 a.m. to 1 a.m. on Fridays and Saturdays; and 7 a.m. to 10 p.m. on Sundays and holidays. Trains will run every 10 minutes between 6 a.m. and 6 p.m., and every 15 minutes at other hours. A single trip from end-to-end on the {{Convert|4.15|mi|adj=on}} line is expected to take 22 minutes, an average speed of {{Convert|11.3|mph}}.{{Cite web |date=November 2021 |title=OC Streetcar Brochure |url=http://www.octa.net/pdf/OC_Streetcar_Brochure.pdf?n=2021 |access-date=2021-12-26}}

The route will include 10 stations in each direction, which will connect to 18 existing OCTA bus lines. Each station will include platforms near major cross streets. The route will be double-tracked for its entire length. The maintenance and storage facility will be located adjacent to 5th Street near the eastern terminus of the Pacific Electric right-of-way at Raitt Street. The Harbor and Raitt stops will include park and ride lots in addition to the existing parking structure at the Santa Ana train station.{{cite web|url=http://www.ci.santa-ana.ca.us/pwa/documents/AppendixO_part1.pdf|title=Appendix O: Engineering Drawing|work=Santa Ana-Garden Grove Fixed Guideway Corridor: Environmental Assessment / Environmental Impact Reports|publisher=City of Santa Ana|author=Cordoba Corporation|access-date=August 7, 2017|date=August 18, 2011|archive-date=August 8, 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170808034440/http://www.ci.santa-ana.ca.us/pwa/documents/AppendixO_part1.pdf|url-status=dead}}

Although the former Pacific Electric rail bridge over the Santa Ana River still exists, it is single-track and considered structurally inadequate due to its age. A new double-track bridge is being built parallel to the old bridge. In addition, the line will cross Westminster Avenue on an elevated bridge to reach the Harbor Transit Center in Garden Grove.

Eight Siemens S700{{cite web|last=Vantuono|first=William C.|date=March 28, 2018|title=Siemens selected for OC Streetcar|url=https://www.railwayage.com/passenger/light-rail/siemens-selected-oc-streetcar/|access-date=March 29, 2018|publisher=Railway Age}}{{efn|name=retroactive-rebrand}} light rail vehicles assembled in Sacramento{{cite web |title=OCTA unveils first OC Streetcar vehicle in Santa Ana |url=https://www.masstransitmag.com/rail/vehicles/press-release/55288900/orange-county-transportation-authority-octa-octa-unveils-first-oc-streetcar-vehicle-in-santa-ana |website=Mass Transit |access-date=2 June 2025 |language=en |date=8 May 2025}} will service the route, with six in operation at any one time. Overhead lines will deliver power to the trains at 750 volts, direct current. OCTA projects a daily ridership of between 6,000 and 7,300 passengers, and each streetcar's total capacity is up to 180 people.

The OC Streetcar will use a proof-of-payment system, requiring valid payment before boarding and lacking a turnstile barrier at stations. Fares will be implemented using contactless smart cards, or through their Wave mobile ticketing app. {{cite web|title=About wave |url=https://www.octa.net/programs-projects/programs/plans-and-studies/wave-outreach-program/about-wave/ |access-date=June 15, 2025 |agency=Orange County Transportation Authority|date=2025}}

Fares will be the same as charged on OCTA's OC Bus service. Herzog Transit Services won the contract to operate the service in 2020.{{cite news |title=OCTA awards contract to operate and maintain OC Streetcar |url=http://www.oc-breeze.com/2020/05/29/182557_octa-awards-contract-to-operate-and-maintain-oc-streetcar/ |access-date=June 4, 2020 |agency=Orange County Breeze |date=May 29, 2020}}

{{clear}}

=List of stops=

File:Santa Ana Amtrak Station California - panoramio (11).jpg, at the future eastern terminus]]

File:Ocstreetcarsartc.jpg

class="wikitable" border = "1"
width="8em"|District

!Stop{{cite web|url=http://www.ci.santa-ana.ca.us/pwa/documents/AppendixC_CommunityImpactAssessment.pdf|title=Appendix C: Community Impact Assessment|work=Santa Ana-Garden Grove Fixed Guideway Corridor: Environmental Assessment / Environmental Impact Reports|publisher=City of Santa Ana|author=Cordoba Corporation|access-date=August 7, 2017|date=October 2012|archive-date=August 8, 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170808034437/http://www.ci.santa-ana.ca.us/pwa/documents/AppendixC_CommunityImpactAssessment.pdf|url-status=dead}}

!Locale

!Connecting services{{cite web|url=http://octa.net/ebusbook/RoutePdf/SystemMap.pdf|title=OCBus System Map|publisher=Orange County Transportation Authority|date=June 11, 2017|access-date=August 6, 2017}}

rowspan="3" bgcolor="#c2c2c2" style="color:white; text-align:center;"|Station District

|Santa Ana Regional Transportation Center

|Santa Ana Blvd & Santiago St, near the Santiago Arts District

|{{Rint|us|amtrak}}Pacific Surfliner
{{rint|losangeles|metrolink}} {{rcb|Metrolink (California)|Inland|inline=route}} {{rcb|Metrolink (California)|Orange|inline=route}}
{{rint|us|Greyhound}} Greyhound
{{bus icon}} OC Bus: 59, 83, 862, Rapid 560
Park and ride: 315 spaces

Lacy St

|Santa Ana Blvd & Lacy St

|

French St

|Santa Ana Blvd & French St (westbound), 4th St and French St (eastbound), near the Yost Theater and Frida Cinema

|

bgcolor="#acacac" style="color:white; text-align:center;"|Downtown
Santa Ana

|Sycamore St

|Santa Ana Blvd & Sycamore St (westbound), 4th St and Sycamore St (eastbound), near the Arts District and Old Orange County Courthouse

|{{bus icon}} OC Bus: 53, Rapid 553

rowspan="2" bgcolor="#c2c2c2" style="color:white; text-align:center;"|Civic
Center

|Ross St

|Santa Ana Blvd & Ross St (westbound), 4th St and Ross St (eastbound), near Santa Ana City Hall and Ronald Reagan Federal Building and Courthouse

|{{bus icon}} OC Bus: 55

Flower St

|Santa Ana Blvd & Flower St, near Sheriff's Department, Superior Court, Department of Public Works, and Santa Ana Stadium

|{{bus icon}} OC Bus: 55, 150/151, 862

bgcolor="#acacac" rowspan="3" style="color:white; text-align:center;"|Artesia
Pilar

|Bristol St

|Santa Ana Blvd & Bristol St

|{{bus icon}} OC Bus: 57

Raitt St

|Santa Ana Blvd & Raitt St

|{{bus icon}} OC Bus: 150/151

Fairview St

|Civic Center Dr & Fairview St

|{{bus icon}} OC Bus: 47,
{{rint|bike}} Santa Ana River Trail

bgcolor="#c2c2c2" rowspan="2" style="color:white; text-align:center;"|City of Garden Grove

|bgcolor="#F5F5DC"|Willowick (potential future stop)

|bgcolor="#F5F5DC"|Near Clinton St & Redwood St, north of Willowick Golf Course

|bgcolor="#F5F5DC"|

Harbor Transit Center

|Westminster Ave & Harbor Blvd; the only station located in Garden Grove

|{{bus icon}} OC Bus: 43, 60, Rapid 543, Rapid 560

Background and construction

=Pacific Electric=

{{Further information|Santa Ana Line}}

File:Pacific Electric Right of Way , Garden Grove.jpg

The streetcar will partially follow the historic route of the Pacific Electric interurban railway's Santa Ana Line, whose Red Cars operated between Santa Ana and Downtown Los Angeles via the West Santa Ana Branch right-of-way starting in 1905. The Santa Ana Line began at the old Southern Pacific Station (now demolished) at Terminal Street just south of the current Santa Ana train station, and traversed downtown Santa Ana via 4th Street. Service to Orange County was terminated in 1950 due to the increasing use of automobiles and buses, and the original tracks through town were removed and paved over.{{cite web|url=http://libraryarchives.metro.net/DPGTL/pacificelectric/1981-caltrans-inventory-of-routes.pdf|title=1981 Inventory of Pacific Electric Routes|publisher=Los Angeles County Metropolitan Transportation Authority|author=Caltrans|date=February 1982|access-date=August 6, 2017}}

West of downtown Santa Ana, the original {{convert|100|ft|m|adj=on}} wide right of way – purchased by OCTA after its abandonment – remains as a strip of vacant land extending diagonally across Orange County's cardinal street grid, from Santa Ana northwest to Cypress/La Palma on the Los Angeles County line. Although OCTA has allowed some temporary uses (such as parking) in the historic right of way, and most of the tracks have been removed, the authority always intended to return this corridor to transit use in the future.{{cite web|url=http://www.ci.santa-ana.ca.us/pwa/documents/EA_DEIR.pdf|title=Santa Ana and Garden Grove Fixed Guideway Corridor: Environmental Assessment/Draft Environmental Impact Report|publisher=City of Santa Ana|date=May 2014|access-date=August 7, 2017|archive-date=August 8, 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170808033902/http://www.ci.santa-ana.ca.us/pwa/documents/EA_DEIR.pdf|url-status=dead}}

=CenterLine proposal=

As opposed to a streetcar system, the first proposals for a modern, second-generation light rail system serving north Orange County appeared in the 1990s. The CenterLine project would have created several light rail lines, including a main line running from Fullerton via Santa Ana to Irvine. It would have included service along the current OC Streetcar route between the Santa Ana train station and Bristol Street, but not along the diagonal West Santa Ana Branch right-of-way. Multiple branches were also proposed for the line to serve other areas of Orange County; most of the lines would have been elevated. The initial 1992 proposal called for {{convert|90|mi|km}} of light rail, which due to political opposition was reduced to {{convert|32|mi|km}} by 2001, and {{convert|9.3|mi|km}} by 2004.{{cite news|url=https://ocweekly.com/next-stop-immobility-6432937/|title=Next Stop: Immobility|author=Arellano, Gustavo|work=OC Weekly|date=February 17, 2005|access-date=December 6, 2018}} The CenterLine was opposed mainly due to its high cost (more than $1 billion for the {{convert|9.3|mi|km|adj=on}} segment between Santa Ana and John Wayne Airport) and was ultimately canceled in 2005.{{cite web|url=http://www.ocgrandjury.org/pdfs/2015_2016_GJreport/2016-05-09_Website_Report.pdf|title=Light Rail: Is Orange County on the Right Track?|author=Orange County Grand Jury|publisher=County of Orange|year=2016|access-date=August 6, 2017}}{{cite news|url=http://www.latimes.com/local/orangecounty/la-me-california-commute-20150512-story.html|title=Rail could make a comeback in O.C. with proposed streetcar line|work=The Los Angeles Times|date=May 12, 2015|access-date=August 6, 2017}}

=Current project and construction=

A streetcar along the current, east-west route (the "Santa Ana-Garden Grove Fixed Guideway Corridor") was first proposed by OCTA in 2006. The streetcar was the result of OCTA's "Go Local" initiative, which offered funds for Orange County cities to study potential new transit links to existing Metrolink rail stations. The Measure M2 sales tax increase, also known as OC Go, will be partly used to fund transit projects in Orange County, was also passed in 2006.{{cite news|url=http://www.metro-magazine.com/rail/news/294206/calif-s-octa-takes-lead-on-oc-streetcar-project|title=Calif.'s OCTA takes lead on OC Streetcar project|work=Metro Magazine|date=May 12, 2015|access-date=August 6, 2017}} In 2008, the cities of Santa Ana and Garden Grove partnered with OCTA to develop the project.{{cite web|url=https://www.ci.garden-grove.ca.us/ocstreetcar|title=OC Streetcar|publisher=City of Garden Grove|access-date=August 6, 2017}} The design was modeled after street-running light rail services of the Portland Streetcar (Portland, Oregon) and TRAX (Salt Lake City, Utah).

Environmental reports were completed and the project qualified for federal funding status by 2015. Former President Barack Obama included $125 million for OC Streetcar in the 2016-17 federal budget under the Major Capital Investments (New Starts) program.{{cite news|url=http://www.ocregister.com/2016/02/10/oc-streetcar-light-rail-project-for-santa-ana-and-garden-grove-makes-obamas-budget/|title=OC Streetcar light-rail project for Santa Ana and Garden Grove makes Obama's budget|work=The Orange County Register|date=February 10, 2016|author=Kwong, Jessica|access-date=August 6, 2017}} In January 2017, Congress approved an additional $50 million in funding for the project, for a total of $175 million. The streetcar was also one of the "Top 10 State Infrastructure Projects" that Governor Jerry Brown has recommended for expedited federal review.{{cite web|url=http://voiceofoc.org/2017/02/oc-streetcar-among-top-10-state-infrastructure-projects/|title=OC Streetcar Among Top 10 State Infrastructure Projects (press release)|author=Orange County Transportation Authority|publisher=Voice of OC|date=February 27, 2017|access-date=August 6, 2017}} The total funding would be 72.2 percent from the federal government, 8.6 percent from California's state cap and trade program, and 19.2 percent from the county sales tax.{{cite web|url=https://www.transit.dot.gov/sites/fta.dot.gov/files/docs/CA_Santa_Ana_and_Garden_Grove_Engineering_Profile.pdf|title=Santa Ana/Garden Grove Streetcar Project, Orange County, California|publisher=U.S. Department of Transportation|date=December 2016|access-date=August 11, 2017}}

File:Vehicle Interior of OC Streetcar Car.jpg

OCTA announced in September 2015 that HNTB Corporation would carry out design work.{{cite web|url=http://www.octa.net/News/Metrolink/OC-Streetcar-rolls-ahead-with-designer-chosen/|title=OC Streetcar rolls ahead with designer chosen|publisher=Orange County Transportation Authority|date=September 16, 2015|access-date=August 6, 2017}} The $15 million contract covered design of tracks, bridges, stations, associated utilities and the vehicle maintenance and storage facility.{{cite news|url=https://www.bizjournals.com/kansascity/news/2015/09/23/oc-streetcar-line-design-hntb.html|title=HNTB will design California's first streetcar in modern era|work=Kansas City Business Journal|date=September 23, 2015|author=Alonzo, Austin|access-date=August 7, 2017}} In December 2016 OCTA released a request for proposals for the manufacturing and delivery of the light rail vehicles.{{cite news|url=http://www.metro-magazine.com/rail/news/719254/oc-streetcar-releases-rfp-for-8-new-vehicles|title=OC Streetcar releases RFP for 8 new vehicles|work=Metro Magazine|date=December 20, 2016|access-date=August 6, 2017}} Construction is planned to start in 2018, and revenue service was expected to begin in 2020. In March 2018, OCTA placed an order for 8 S70 vehicles (later rebranded as S700 by Siemens),{{efn|name=retroactive-rebrand}} at a cost of $51.5 million.{{cite web|last=Vantuono|first=William C.|url=https://www.railwayage.com/passenger/light-rail/siemens-selected-oc-streetcar/|access-date=March 29, 2018|title=Siemens selected for OC Streetcar|publisher=Railway Age|date=March 28, 2018}} By July 2018, costs had increased to a projected $407.76 million (up from an estimated $299.3 million as of June 2017{{cite news|author=Escobar, Allyson|url=http://www.latimes.com/socal/daily-pilot/news/tn-wknd-et-oc-streetcar-20170611-story.html|title=Orange County's first modern streetcar plans to be the future of transit on track|work=The Los Angeles Times|date=June 11, 2017|access-date=August 6, 2017}}) with an expected completion in 2021.{{cite news |last1=Robinson |first1=Alicia |title=Orange County streetcar costs top $400 million; construction start delayed until fall |url=https://www.ocregister.com/2018/07/09/orange-county-streetcar-costs-top-400-million-construction-start-delayed-until-fall/ |access-date=July 15, 2018 |agency=Orange County Register |date=July 9, 2018}}

On September 24, 2018, OCTA awarded a $220.5 million contract to Walsh Construction Company to build the streetcar.{{cite news|url=https://www.ocregister.com/2018/09/24/octa-awards-220-5-million-contract-to-build-oc-streetcar-construction-expected-to-start-this-year/|title=OCTA awards $220.5 million contract to build OC Streetcar; construction expected to start this year|work=OC Register|author=Robinson, Alicia|date=September 24, 2018|access-date=November 15, 2018}}

On November 30, 2018, a groundbreaking ceremony was held, and the Federal Transit Administration announced that federal funding would be increased to $217 million.{{cite news|url=https://www.ocregister.com/2018/11/30/oc-streetcar-construction-kicks-off-with-line-set-to-be-running-by-2021/|title=OC Streetcar construction kicks off, with line set to be running by 2021|work=OC Register|author=Robinson, Alicia|access-date=December 2, 2018}}

The line was expected to start operations in 2021, but the project has faced delays and setbacks, including the discovery of human remains at a construction site in September 2020{{Cite web |last=Service • • |first=City News |date=2020-09-23 |title=Bones Found On OC Streetcar Project Were Native American |url=https://www.nbclosangeles.com/news/local/bones-found-on-oc-streetcar-project-were-native-american/2432577/ |access-date=2023-11-01 |website=NBC Los Angeles |language=en-US}} and lawsuits from Walsh Construction Company in March 2022.{{Cite web |date=2022-03-15 |title=Company sues OCTA for at least $50 million over streetcar project |url=https://www.ocregister.com/2022/03/15/lawsuit-in-oc-streetcar-project-threatens-delays/ |access-date=2023-11-01 |website=Orange County Register |language=en-US}} On October 2023, OCTA staff reported a revenue service date of August 2025 to the Federal Transit Administration.{{Cite report |url=https://octa.legistar.com/View.ashx?M=F&ID=12353739&GUID=15E43389-D931-4B00-A35D-51AC59BF96A9 |title=OC Streetcar Project Quarterly Update |last= |first= |date=12 October 2023 |page=5 |access-date=31 October 2023 }} However, on February 2025 OCTA extended the opening date further to March 2026, citing "challenges related to construction."

=Future expansions=

Santa Ana mayor Miguel Pulido has suggested the OC Streetcar system could become "the hub of a light-rail system that could connect the county’s core," with potential future extensions to Disneyland, Anaheim's Platinum Triangle and the John Wayne Airport.{{cite news|url=http://www.ocregister.com/2016/02/07/santa-ana-streetcar-could-spark-new-era-of-mass-transit-in-oc/|title=Santa Ana streetcar could spark new era of mass transit in O.C|author=Kwong, Jessica|date=February 7, 2016|work=The Orange County Register|access-date=August 6, 2017}}{{cite news|url=http://www.ocregister.com/2012/06/25/proposed-streetcar-would-connect-santa-ana-anaheim-garden-grove/|title=Proposed streetcar would connect Santa Ana, Anaheim, Garden Grove|work=The Orange County Register|author=Gonzales, Ron|date=June 25, 2012|access-date=August 6, 2017}} An extension north to Anaheim along Harbor Boulevard could connect with the controversial Katella Avenue streetcar project (Anaheim Rapid Connection), should that project be built in the future. Although the Anaheim City Council rejected the Katella streetcar in January 2017,{{cite news|url=http://www.ocregister.com/2017/03/22/anaheim-streetcar-making-a-comeback/|title=Anaheim streetcar making a comeback|work=The Orange County Register|date=March 22, 2017|access-date=August 6, 2017}}{{cite news|url=http://voiceofoc.org/2017/01/the-anaheim-streetcar-project-is-officially-dead/|title=The Anaheim Streetcar Project Is Officially Dead|work=Voice of OC|author=Vo, Thy|date=January 11, 2017|access-date=August 6, 2017}} OCTA has listed a streetcar connection in its Central Harbor Boulevard Transit Corridor Study, leaving the possibility that it could be built as a county project, rather than a city project.

OC Streetcar is one of two current transit projects intended to use the historic West Santa Ana Branch, the other being a Los Angeles Metro Rail Southeast Gateway Line.{{cite web|url=https://www.metro.net/projects/west-santa-ana/|title=West Santa Ana Branch Transit Corridor|publisher=Los Angeles County Metropolitan Transportation Authority|access-date=August 6, 2017}} The two services are not planned to connect; however, the possibility of re-establishing service between Santa Ana and Los Angeles has been studied by the Southern California Association of Governments (SCAG) since 2012.{{cite web|url=http://thetransitcoalition.us/LargePDFfiles/PacificElectricWSantaAnaBranch.pdf|title=Pacific Electric Right-of-Way / West Santa Ana Branch Corridor Alternatives Analysis|publisher=Southern California Transit Coalition|author=Southern California Association of Governments|date=September 26, 2012|access-date=August 6, 2017}} Restoring full service to the Pacific Electric Santa Ana Line via light rail would cost about $3 billion to construct, and is expected to serve about 80,000 riders daily.{{cite news|url=https://la.curbed.com/2012/5/22/10368932/first-plans-revealed-for-rail-from-union-station-to-santa-ana|title=First Plans Revealed For Rail From Union Station to Santa Ana|author=Brasuell, James|work=Curbed Los Angeles|date=May 22, 2012|access-date=August 6, 2017}}{{cite news|url=http://downeybeat.com/2012/05/plans-for-potential-7-billion-train-through-downey-finally-unveiled/|title=Plans for potential $7 billion train through Downey finally unveiled|work=Downey Beat|date=May 2012|access-date=August 6, 2017|archive-date=August 7, 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170807233530/http://downeybeat.com/2012/05/plans-for-potential-7-billion-train-through-downey-finally-unveiled/|url-status=dead}}

Impact

Reception of the streetcar has been mixed among business owners and residents along the proposed corridor. Supporters suggest that the project would increase property values and increase economic activity along the route, as has occurred with light rail projects such as the E Line in Los Angeles County.{{cite web|url=https://www.transit.dot.gov/sites/fta.dot.gov/files/docs/CA__Santa_Ana_Garden_Grove_Streetcar_Profile_FY17_0.pdf|title=Santa Ana/Garden Grove Streetcar Project, Orange County, California|publisher=Federal Transit Administration|date=November 2015|access-date=August 6, 2017}} Underutilized areas along the route could be reappropriated for denser transit-oriented development, reducing the need for automobiles among new residents. The Willowick Golf Course in Garden Grove is being considered for redevelopment, potentially as a regional park with sports arenas and outdoor amphitheater, with mixed-used neighborhoods adjacent to a proposed stop on the streetcar route.{{cite news|url=http://voiceofoc.org/2015/10/santa-ana-wants-to-turn-willowick-golf-course-into-big-park/|title=Now It's Santa Ana's Turn to Dream of Great Park|work=Voice of OC|date=October 16, 2015|author=Elmahrek, Adam|access-date=August 6, 2017}}{{cite news|url=http://www.ocregister.com/2014/08/13/octa-debates-proposed-santa-ana-streetcar/|title=OCTA debates proposed Santa Ana streetcar|author=Gerda, Nick|work=The Orange County Register|date=August 13, 2014|access-date=August 6, 2017}} In addition, 17.8 percent of households in the service area do not own a car, and the streetcar would markedly improve their access to the regional transit system.

However, some businesses have opposed the project, citing that customers might avoid the area during construction, and that the rail line would eliminate parking spaces and increase traffic congestion. In addition, low-income residents have expressed concern over the potential gentrification of their neighborhoods and being unable to afford increased rents as a result of the rise in property value.{{cite news|url=http://voiceofoc.org/2015/04/santa-anas-streetcar-project-has-inside-track/|title=Santa Ana's Streetcar Project Has Inside Track|author=Elmahrek, Adam|date=April 6, 2015|work=Voice of OC|access-date=August 6, 2017}} The streetcar project has been criticized for its high cost (currently standing at about $129 million per mile),{{Cite web |title=Vibrant. Diverse. Growing. |url=https://octa.net/programs-projects/projects/rail-projects/oc-streetcar/overview/ |access-date=2025-02-04 |website=Orange County Transportation Authority |language=en}} and the inflexibility of a fixed-guideway transit system to adjust to system changes, as compared to buses.{{cite news|url=http://www.ocregister.com/2017/05/24/another-stop-on-ocs-dubious-streetcar/|title=Another stop on OC's dubious streetcar|author=Orange County Register Editorial Board|work=The Orange County Register|date=May 24, 2017|access-date=August 6, 2017}}

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See also

Notes

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References

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