Passenger Train Service Through Pass Area Chugs Forward

SOUTHERN CALIFORNIA — A proposed train route that would carry travelers between Los Angeles Union Station and the Coachella Valley — with transport through the Banning-Beaumont area — is moving forward.

Riverside County supervisors voted Tuesday 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 project was completed earlier this year, and additional assessments are required to reach the next phase, 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 available via the U.S. Department of Commerce's "regional challenge" awards system, according to documents posted to the board's 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' funding request letter.

What are the details of the Coachella Valley-San Gorgonio Pass Rail Corridor Service project?

The Riverside County Transportation Commission, Caltrans, and the Federal Railroad Administration have been studying the 144-mile passenger rail service corridor between Los Angeles and the Coachella Valley, with the eastern endpoint in either Indio or Coachella. The service is planned with an approximate trip time of 3 hours and 15 minutes with planned stops in Los Angeles, Orange, San Bernardino, and Riverside counties. Twice daily roundtrips are proposed.

Amtrak will likely provide the intercity service on existing tracks shared with other freight and passenger rail operators, according to the RCTC.

The estimated project cost is $1 billion.

Many Riverside County officials have advocated for train service into the desert from the west.

"The service would offer an alternative to driving or riding the bus, serve residential and job centers along the corridor, enhance access to Coachella Valley tourism and boost economic development from the tourism industry, reduce vehicle miles traveled on I-10 and other major highways, and improve air quality, especially in disadvantaged communities that align highways," according to the RCTC.

RCTC Chair and Palm Desert Mayor Pro Tem Jan Harnik said, "We look forward to the day that train passengers can fully experience the attractions of our beautiful Coachella Valley. I see this as a transformational project — it will truly change how people travel between Los Angeles and the Coachella Valley."

The City of Indio is advocating for the project and has looked at locations for a "multi-modal" transportation hub within its borders, zeroing in on the most likely spot for an endpoint train station.

—City News Service contributed to this report.