President Obama signed an end-of-the-year $1.1 trillion omnibus spending measure earlier approved by Congress. The Housing, Transportation and Urban Development bill was one of six annual spending bills passed as part of the measure.

For rail transportation, Positive Train Control (PTC) was appropriated $50 million as part of the Federal Railroad Administration (FRA) Railroad Safety Technology Grant program, which was authorized in the 2008 Rail Safety Improvement Act.Metrolink will compete for funds in the national grant program for PTC projects where eligible.

Metrolink has committed to install PTC on the Southern California commuter rail system by 2012, three years ahead of the federally mandated deadline of 2015. The $201 million project will provide the most advanced technology available to automatically prevent train to train collisions and protect railway workers.

"We want to thank our members of Congress for taking the first step forward with this initial funding of PTC - one of the most important innovations to passenger rail safety thus far," said Metrolink board chairman Keith Millhouse."PTC is a rail safety priority and must receive additional federal funding to support its implementation in Southern California and across the country.Real and lasting achievements to further increase safety in commuter rail operations will require more money and a continued level of political commitment," added Millhouse.

In addition to PTC grants, $1.637 million in Congressionally-directed spending was approved for Metrolink rail safety. Requested by Senators Barbara Boxer and Dianne Feinstein, and Representatives Lucille Roybal-Allard, Adam Schiff and Judy Chu, $487,000 was appropriated for specific Metrolink PTC projects; $400,000 was approved for grade crossing improvements in Los Angeles County along the Ventura subdivision, sponsored by Congressman Brad Sherman, and $750,000 was appropriated for grade crossing improvements from Simi Valley - Moorpark, sponsored by Congressman Elton Gallegly.

The bill also included $5 million in New Starts funding for the Perris Valley Line extension, a key project for the Riverside County Transportation Commission.