RCTC Seeks Federal Funds for Passenger Rail and Highway Improvements

RCTC submitted six applications last month to request $24 million from federal funding sources for a collection of passenger rail and highway projects. The projects are designed to help improve mobility options for residents in Riverside County and the region.

Three funding requests are for Coachella Valley Rail, the proposed 144-mile passenger rail corridor between Los Angeles and the Coachella Valley, with stops in Los Angeles, Orange, San Bernardino, and Riverside counties. This once-in-a-generation project is critically important for the Inland Southern California region, which faces heavy traffic congestion daily.

RCTC is requesting Congressionally Directed Spending funding totaling $5 million each from U.S. Senators Dianne Feinstein and Alex Padilla and a Community Project Funding request for $5 million from U.S. Representative Ken Calvert, for a total of $15 million. This will help fund in-depth engineering and environmental studies that must be completed to advance the project.

Once operational, the rail service will add a new car-free, stress-free option for travel, expand the regional economy with new connections to entertainment venues and commercial/retail centers, combat climate change with fewer emissions from single-passenger vehicles, and promote equity by offering new access to employment and education.

To learn more about Coachella Valley Rail, visit rctc.org/cvr.

RCTC also has applied for Community Project Funding for three additional projects through the following Congressional members:

• From Representative Mark Takano, a $3 million request toward construction of the Metrolink Double Track: Moreno Valley to Perris Project. The project will add a second set of tracks between the Moreno Valley/March Field Station and the Perris-South Station. Once completed, the extended tracks will facilitate Metrolink operations, offer an alternative to driving, and help relieve traffic congestion on Interstate 215. The project also will boost access to jobs and education in this traditionally underserved area, reduce air pollution, and help Metrolink achieve its goal of providing bidirectional service every 30 minutes in time for the 2028 Olympics and Paralympics.
• From Representative Raul Ruiz, a $3 million request toward construction of the Mid County Parkway Ramona Expressway Project. RCTC is partnering with the County of Riverside for this 8.6-mile segment of roadway between Perris and San Jacinto that experiences a high rate of vehicular accidents. If funding is secured, construction could start in 2025 and take about two years to complete.
• From Representative Young Kim, a $3 million request for construction funds for the Route 91 Eastbound Corridor Operations Project. This project would add a lane to eastbound 91 from the southbound 241 Toll Road connector to Route 71 in Corona to help improve traffic flow in this heavily traveled area, especially during peak afternoon and evening commute hours. Engineering and environmental studies are expected to begin in mid-2023, with construction dates based on available funding.

In support for RCTC’s projects, Representatives Calvert, Takano, and Kim submitted RCTC’s funding request to the House Appropriations Committee for consideration. The three project funding requests included:

• $5 million request to the Coachella Valley Rail Project supported by From Representative Ken Calvert.
• $3 million request toward construction of the Metrolink Double Track: Moreno Valley to Perris Project supported by Representative Mark Takano.
• $3 million request for the Route 91 Eastbound Corridor Operations Project supported by Representative Young Kim.

While these requests still require Congressional approval, the funding amounts to $11 million to advance passenger rail and highway infrastructure projects that improve mobility and transportation options for Riverside County.