Scoping Period for Redlands Passenger Rail Project Ends May 12: SANBAG

The scoping period preceding preparation of a draft EIR for the proposed Redlands Passenger Rail Project ends Saturday May 12, according to SANBAG, the San Bernardino Associated Governments.

For several years SANBAG has been studying the feasibility of using a 9-mile railroad corridor known as "the Redlands Subdivision," between downtown San Bernardino and the University of Redlands, for passenger rail.

The downtown San Bernardino terminus, the proposed San Bernardino Transit Center, is planned at E Street and Rialto Avenue. Stations on the line are planned at Tippecanoe Avenue in San Bernardino, and at New York Avenue, Orange Street and University Avenue in Redlands.

A related plan would extend existing Metrolink service east from the Santa Fe Depot to downtown San Bernardino.

Objectives of the scoping period touted by SANBAG at a meeting last week in San Bernardino include facilitating an "early and open process with public, stakeholders and agencies in order to: provide information about the project; identify interested parties; help identify project and/or environmental issues; help identify potential project alternatives; and gather input for further environmental review."

Some people who attended the public scoping meeting Wednesday May 2 said they were all for passenger rail to Redlands. But they said they dislike the pollution expected with diesel engines.

Mitchell Alderman, SANBAG director of Transit and Rail Programs, confirmed the project as currently planned will initially utilize Metrolink engines and cars, including bi-level cars used by Metrolink. Future options include Light Rail Transit or Diesel Multiple Unit.

A schedule touted by SANBAG calls for completing preliminary engineering by mid-2013, completing environmental work and final design by the end of 2014, acquiring trains by mid-2015, completing construction by the end of 2017, and starting "revenue service" with paying passengers by the beginning of 2018.

This phase of the project is estimated to cost $130 million to $150 million, with local, state and federal funding sources, according to Alderman. A second phase could add five more stations, at Mill Street, Waterman Avenue, Mountain View Avenue, California Street and Alabama Street.

The first scoping meeting was held April 24 at the ESRI Cafe, 380 New York St. in Redlands, near the location for one of the proposed stations in Redlands. The second meeting was held May 2 at the Hilton San Bernardino, 285 E. Hospitality Lane.

Public agencies and the public are invited to comment on the proposed scope and content of information to be included in the Environmental Impact Report/Environmental Assessment, according to SANBAG.

Comments for the scoping period must be postmarked or emailed by this Saturday. They can be sent to:

Mitch Alderman, Director of Transit & Rail Programs, SANBAG, 1170 W. 3rd St., 2nd Floor, San Bernardino CA 92410-1715. Comments can also be emailed to RPRP_Public_Comments@sanbag.ca.gov

A pdf copy of the SANBAG "Notice of Prepraration of a Draft Environmental Impact Report/Environmental Assessment for the Redlands Passenger Rail Project" is attached to this report.

More information is available at sanbag.ca.gov/projects/redlands-transit.