Riverside County Transportation Commission awards $80M for CV Rail Project study

RIVERSIDE, Calif. (KESQ) - The Riverside County Transportation Commission has awarded $80 million to HDR Engineering to conduct an environmental study for the planned Coachella Valley Rail Project, officials announced.

The Tier 2 study would include advancing the project towards construction by preparing and delivering an environmental documents that needs to meet all state and federal regulatory requirements.

In partnership with the Federal Railroad Administration and the California Department of Transportation, the proposed daily passenger rail service will travel from Los Angeles to the Coachella Valley.

It would connect riders for roughly 144 miles through nine proposed station stops, expand economic opportunities by traveling to restaurants and music festivals, and offer another means of transportation.

"CV Rail is a vital transportation investment that will connect Riverside County -- particularly the San Gorgonio Pass and Coachella Valley -- with the rest of Southern California through daily passenger rail service. This project delivers benefits that will positively impact our region for generations,'' Cathedral City Mayor Raymond Gregory, chair of the RCTC, said in a statement.

"While there is still work ahead, today's decision brings us one important step closer to construction,'' Gregory added.   

The Tier 2 environmental review will proceed in two phases: complete CEQA review, preliminary engineering and station studies and then conducting NEPA review and 30% design.  

Officials said station locations, funding and the timing for the start of construction and service will be identified during the Tier 2 project.   

The rail service project will likely exceed $1.5 billion and service could begin by 2040 depending on funding, final design and construction.