The funding, announced April 5 by Sen. Dianne Feinstein (D-California) and Transportation Secretary Pete Buttigieg, is through the FTA’s Capital Investment Grants (CIG) Small Starts program and will cover one-third of the Connector’s estimated $262.67 million Phase One capital cost.

The 19-mile Bus Rapid Transit system is a key element of an emerging state-of-the-art transit network between San Bernardino and Los Angeles counties. Other projects include the Redlands Passenger Rail/Arrow System, which eventually will feature the first zero-emission passenger train in North America; a proposed tunnel connecting Metrolink to ONT; and a proposed high-speed rail line from Las Vegas to the Rancho Cucamonga Metrolink station.

“We’re so grateful to Sen. Feinstein and Secretary Buttigieg, as well as Congressional Members Pete Aguilar (CA-31) and Norma Torres (CA-35), for their support in securing funding for the West Valley Connector. In addition to the ONT Loop, the Arrow line and the proposed Vegas rail project, the Connector will play an important role in one of the most dynamic transit stories in the United States,” said Frank J. Navarro, president of the San Bernardino County Transportation Authority (SBCTA), which is overseeing development of the project.