LA to Coachella Valley Train Service Planned Through Pass Area

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 — has taken another step forward.

The Coachella Valley-San Gorgonio Pass Rail Corridor Service project is currently in the environmental review process, and the public is asked to weigh in starting Friday.

What is the Coachella Valley-San Gorgonio Pass Rail Corridor Service project?

The Riverside County Transportation Commission, Caltrans, and the Federal Railroad Administration are studying a 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.

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.

RCTC Chair and Palm Desert Mayor Pro Tem Jan Harnik said, “While passenger rail service is still many years away, completing the draft program level environmental document is a huge milestone. 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."

What is the project's current status?

On Friday, the Draft Tier 1 Program-Level Environmental Impact Statement/Environmental Impact Report for the project is being released for public review and comments. The report is a high-level conceptual plan of the project and how it may affect the environment.

Southern California residents are encouraged to review the document between May 21 and July 6 at rctc.org/CVRail and at libraries in Los Angeles Union Station/Metro Library, Fullerton, Riverside, Colton, Loma Linda, Redlands, Beaumont, Banning, Palm Springs, Indio, and Coachella.

Public comments can be submitted online at https://www.regulations.gov/docket/FRA-2021-0048.

For those who prefer to use the U.S. mail, comments can be sent to:

Federal Railroad Administration

Amanda Ciampolillo, Environmental Protection Specialist

1200 New Jersey Avenue SE

Washington, DC 20590

Two virtual public hearings on the project are also scheduled. The hearings are an opportunity to learn more about the project. The content will be the same at both meetings. Spanish interpretation will be provided.

Public Hearing #1 is scheduled at 6 p.m., Thursday, June 22
Register at https://zoom.us/j/98860393291?pwd=VkJSUHRFaWRhUXhnM3BQRnBnb0Zqdz09

Public Hearing #2 is scheduled at 9 a.m., Saturday, June 26
Register at https://zoom.us/j/99115218303?pwd=MHBFSnFTWS9ORGM0Z3pvNnFTVXN2UT09

Next steps for the project

The Tier 1 Project Level EIS/EIR is not the last step for the project. The next phase of work is a Tier 2 Project Level EIS/EIR, which would study needed infrastructure improvements and station locations. The RCTC is working with state and federal partners to secure funds for this next phase, the agency explained.

The estimated timeline for train service to start could be up to 10 years after the Tier 2 EIS/EIR is completed. But first, the RCTC and project partners must finalize the Tier 2 document, secure funding for the $1 billion project, and get commitments from the freight railroads.

In the meantime, more information about the project can be found here https://tinyurl.com/n3y6emr6.