Riverside County Transportation Commission officials heading to Washington to promote rail service: 'This daily passenger rail service will transform how we travel'

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Riverside County Transporation Commission is heading to Washington to seek funding for rail service between the Coachella Valley and Los Angeles | Wikimedia Commons

The Riverside County officials and staff are heading to Washington D.C. this month to meet with federal officials to promote the need for a rail system between the Coachella Valley and Los Angeles.

"The Riverside County Transportation Commission (RCTC) is seeking grant funding for the next round of engineering and environmental studies, which will provide an in-depth analysis of the service and operations along the planned 144-mile route," Aaron Hake, deputy executive director for the Riverside County Transportation Commission, told the Coachella Valley Times. "Recently, funds became available through the federal Consolidated Rail Infrastructure and Safety Improvements (CRISI) Program on a competitive basis. RCTC and Caltrans will be submitting a joint CRISI Program grant application, due December 1."

A large portion of the funding could come from the recent federal infrastructure bill, which provides funding for inter-city rail, which this project would be. In its current planned form, passengers would be able to travel between Los Angeles and the valley, with nine stops along a 144-mile route, according to the Coachella Valley Reporter.

Although the project could cost around $1 billion, it would alleviate many issues with the current transportation system, and waiting could make the solutions more expensive or impossible down the line. The rail line is projected to save over 100,000 car trips a year, which would equate to 858,380 metric tons less of greenhouse gas emissions, the story said.

In addition to the federal Consolidated Rail Infrastructure and Safety Improvements grant the RCTC plans to apply for, state grants might become available as well, and RCTC plans to meet with state officials this fall to request support, RCTC said in a news release.

RCTC is asking residents to voice their support for this funding application by visiting rctc.org/cvr. RCTC also is monitoring a potential federal-state partnership grant opportunity that may be available in October. In addition, RCTC has nominated this service under the Federal Railroad Administration’s Corridor Identification Program that will lead to potential future grants.

In addition to the federal Consolidated Rail Infrastructure and Safety Improvements grant the RCTC plans to apply for, state grants might become available as well, and RCTC plans to meet with state officials this fall to request support, the agency said.

"Without a doubt, this daily passenger rail service will transform how we travel in southern California, creating a stress-free way to connect our communities and bypass the heavy traffic congestion that is so common in our region," Hake said. "The service will provide greater access to jobs and educational opportunities, especially in our underserved communities in the Coachella Valley; expand the regional economy and tourism; and help the environment by reducing the number of cars on the road, greenhouse gases, and air pollution."

The rail line, "also makes up a significant segment of Amtrak’s future Tucson-Phoenix-Los Angeles corridor with connections to San Diego, Santa Barbara, the Pacific Northwest, Arizona, and beyond, Hake added. "The new train service would allow Coachella Valley residents to expand their travel options to these destinations in California and across the nation."

RCTC has been studying the possibility of rail service between Los Angeles and the Coachella Valley since 1991, Hake said.

"If we are successful in securing funding, the in-depth engineering and environmental studies could begin next year, "he said. "Following the studies and subsequent approvals, project design and construction would begin. While the passenger train service could still be 10 years away, RCTC is moving full speed ahead to create a transformational car-free, stress-free way to travel through inland southern California."