Official Seeks U.S. Funds to Fix Tunnel

Simi Valley Councilman Bill Davis appeared before the House of Representatives’ Appropriations Subcommittee this week to try to persuade lawmakers to fund a $16-million railroad tunnel repair.

Davis, who also serves as chairman of the Ventura County Transportation Commission and vice chairman of the Metrolink Commuter Rail Board, made his appeal in Washington on Monday to fix Santa Susana Rail Tunnel 26, on the Coast Rail line between Simi Valley and Chatsworth.

The money would be used to secure the tunnel’s lining to the mountain, stabilize track supports, install emergency lighting and erect a passenger walkway and security fences.

“The major benefit of this project is improved passenger safety,” Davis told legislators.

“However, it is also clear that the economic costs of a possible disruption of daily commuter and intercity passenger service, and from a disruption of freight movement caused by a nonfunctioning tunnel, would be enormous.”

This is the first time Metrolink has requested federal funds to make capital improvements on the railroad lines.

Each day, 20 Metrolink commuter rail, Amtrak intercity and Coast Starlight trains ferry up to 1,200 Ventura County residents through the tunnel, in addition to the 10 freight trains that regularly run the route.

Davis was uncertain of how the legislators would treat his appeal but said they appeared concerned.

“The subcommittee members seemed very interested in the facts and photos I presented to them about the condition of Tunnel 26,” he said. “I only hope they are equally receptive to our funding request.”