Update 1-13-2005: The project wil probably not be built do to the lack of federal funding and support.
Los Angeles Times article 12-04:
CenterLine, a proposed $1-billion light-rail system that would connect John Wayne Airport and downtown Santa Ana, could be canceled this year for lack of congressional support.
The Orange County Transportation Authority needs at least $500 million from the Federal Transit Administration to build the 9.3-mile line by 2010.
In 2004, the project failed to win just $40 million in federal funding for final design work. OCTA officials had hoped Congress would give CenterLine at least $10 million of the total requested, but they did not get even that.
Officials say the lack of federal support could force a reevaluation of the project by the authority's new board of directors after it meets for the first time this month.
OCTA Press Release February 3rd, 2004
OCTA Press Release January 12, 2004
The
proposed Centerline project could have a major effect on our neighborhood,
especially if the route is extended to Santa Ana College. Here are
some resources to learn more about the project.
OCTA's Centerline Site The official site
LightRailNow's News Stories and project profile
Rail Advocates of Orange County site with project news, maps and resources
Stop The Centerline! takes the opposing view, primarily for the City of Irvine which passed a referendum in June, 2003 to stop the project from continuing through Irvine to UCI.
Below is the OCTA's official map of the current plan.
News and Activity Information