Local & Community
Riverside County Transportation Commission Awards $80M for CV Rail Study
RIVERSIDE (CNS) - The Riverside County Transportation Commission has
awarded $80 million to HDR Engineering to conduct an environmental study for
the planned Coachella Valley Rail Project, officials announced Thursday.
The Tier 2 study would include advancing the project towards
construction by preparing and delivering an environmental documents that needs
to meet all state and federal regulatory requirements.
In partnership with the Federal Railroad Administration and the
California Department of Transportation, the proposed daily passenger rail
service will travel from Los Angeles to the Coachella Valley.
It would connect riders for roughly 144 miles through nine proposed
station stops, expand economic opportunities by traveling to restaurants and
music festivals, and offer another means of transportation.
``CV Rail is a vital transportation investment that will connect
Riverside County -- particularly the San Gorgonio Pass and Coachella Valley --
with the rest of Southern California through daily passenger rail service. This
project delivers benefits that will positively impact our region for
generations,'' Cathedral City Mayor Raymond Gregory, chair of the RCTC, said in
a statement.
``While there is still work ahead, today's decision brings us one
important step closer to construction,'' Gregory added.
The Tier 2 environmental review will proceed in two phases: complete
CEQA review, preliminary engineering and station studies and then conducting
NEPA review and 30% design.
Officials said station locations, funding and the timing for the start
of construction and service will be identified during the Tier 2 project.
The rail service project will likely exceed $1.5 billion and service
could begin by 2040 depending on funding, final design and construction.
Copyright 2026, City News Service, Inc.
By: City News Service
January 30, 2026
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