August 2024 RASC OC Streetcar Tour with Tresa Oliveri and Cleve Cleveland, OCTA

The heat didn’t dampen the enthusiasm of RASC members for a behind-the-scenes tour of the OC Streetcar led by OCTA’s Public Outreach Head Tresa Oliveri and Ops Manager Cleve Cleveland. Ross Lew of Moffatt & Nichol, formerly Program Manager at OCTA, was there to help answer questions.

Orange County’s first modern streetcar project will serve a 4.15 mile route through historic Downtown Santa Ana to Garden Grove, serving federal, state and local courthouses and government offices, colleges, the Santa Ana Artist Village, and a vibrant neighborhood of small businesses and restaurants. It connects to Metrolink at the Santa Ana Regional Transportation Center, providing a convenient last mile for local residents and visitors. (95)

Cleve pointed out the catenary system and described some of the design considerations the team made for the many stakeholders in DTSA. Tresa shared a story of one business owner who became a supporter of the project when the changes in front of her store created a new business opportunity.

The first dreams of a modern streetcar started in 2015, championed by OCTA through the years. Now in its final review stages with the trains built and ready for delivery, Cleve, Tresa and OCTA look forward to its debut early next year.

Thanks to J.P. Ziegler for arranging refreshments at Chapter One, a local restaurant with a  hip, bookish vibe right on the OC Streetcar route. And special thanks to our tour guides, Tresa Oliveri and Cleve Cleveland of OCTA, for spending the afternoon with RASC members, and to our annual corporate sponsors HDR, STV and Mott MacDonald.

RASC’s goal is to provide scholarships for undergraduates interested in transportation, and the money raised from these luncheons support that initiative directly.

Join us! Sign up now to become a member of the Railway Association of Southern California (2024 RASC Membership) and be first in line for the next program.

Sponsor us! Help us grow our scholarship base. Sponsor a program by reaching out to J.P. Ziegler (jackson.ziegler@railpros.com) or become an annual corporate sponsor (RASC Sponsorship Levels).