Supervisors seek federal money to further Coachella to Los Angeles railway project
Riverside County supervisors voted today to submit a request to the federal government seeking funding to complete environmental studies associated with a 144-mile commuter rail project linking the Coachella Valley to San Bernardino, Orange and Los Angeles counties.
"This has been an ongoing desire for decades -- connecting the Coachella Valley to Los Angeles," Board of Supervisors Chair Karen Spiegel said. "This money would really start this to see it take its course."
Spiegel joined Supervisor Manuel Perez in asking for the full board's backing for grant funds to move the Coachella Valley-San Gorgonio Pass Rail Corridor Project forward. The vote was 4-0, with Supervisor Jeff Hewitt absent due to illness.
"This is a milestone for us," Perez said. "I look forward for this to be accomplished and brought to fruition."
The initial environmental impact report on the Coachella Valley-San Gorgonio Pass Rail Corridor Project was completed earlier this year, and additional assessments are required to move the project forward, according to the supervisors.
Up to $60 million may be needed to complete impact studies on six proposed rail stations, as well as a third main track line and grade crossings along the eastern section of the project zone, encompassing roughly 76 miles, officials said.
Spiegel and Perez are eyeing federal "Build Back Better" grant funds that are available via the U.S. Department of Commerce's "regional challenge'' awards system, according to documents posted to the Board of Supervisors' policy agenda.
The Riverside County Transportation Agency is the project manager, working in collaboration with Caltrans and the Federal Railroad Administration, documents stated.
"The state of California and RCTC have a vested interest in fostering equitable investments in transportation infrastructure and transit mobility… and are committed to matching funds for this game-changing economic opportunity, with environmental benefit from Los Angeles to Coachella Valley and disadvantaged communities along the route," according to the supervisors' proposed funding request letter.
The commuter line would begin in Coachella, transit Indio and Palm Springs, coursing through the San Gorgonio Pass, with stops in Banning and Beaumont. It would veer northwest into Loma Linda, then southwest into
Riverside and on to Fullerton, continuing north to the final stop at Union Station in downtown Los Angeles.
The full length of the ride would run just over three hours, according to RCTC. The agency estimated it could provide service for up to 160,000 commuters daily.
"If you're gonna spend three or four hours on a freeway, why not just spend, you know, maybe three hours on the train and be able to relax," said Desert Hot Springs Scott Matas. "This is an opportunity to get out of that traffic, and as the Coachella Valley grows, traffic becomes more of an issue.”
In addition to new tracks, existing rail lines would be utilized, officials said.
A prospective timeline for groundbreaking on the project has not been announced.
More information is available at https://www.rctc.org/wp-content/uploads/2021/05/CVR-FactSheet-Spring2021-FINAL.pdf
