Archive for category Transportation

Perris Valley Line Goes To Court

Posted by admin in Environment, Transportation on April 14, 2012

It looks like our day in court has arrived. . . from the Press Enterprise

Richard Block, a Riverside Hills member, said concerns ranging from the tons of dirt that will be hauled away from the project to the squealing of train wheels are unresolved.

“The evidence presented in the environmental process clearly shows the project will have negative impacts,” Block said. “And they are either incompetent to them or ignoring them.”

He also said officials are grossly overestimating the line’s ridership, noting that the 4,300 daily riders estimated in the report would exceed the ridership of existing Metrolink service in Riverside County. Ridership along the entire 91 Line from Riverside to Union Station in Los Angeles was 5,161 in June, according to Metrolink.

Environmental Impact Report, Perris Valley Line

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City Issues Notice of Intent to Create Perris Valley Quiet Zone

Posted by admin in Safety, Transportation on February 8, 2012

Perris Valley Line Quiet Zone – The City issued the Notice of Intent to create a New Quiet Zone along PVL on January 30^th. The proposed Quiet Zone will extend from Mt. Vernon Ave. to Marlborough Street.

Jenna Combs

Sr. Administrative Analyst

(951) 826-5847 (office)

(951) 313-4039 (cell)

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RTA 2011 HOLIDAY SCHEDULE

Posted by admin in Transportation on November 9, 2011

Thanksgiving dinner won’t be coming by bus in Riverside. Check out schedule changes and other RTA news here.

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SR 91 HOV Project Public Meeting Schedule

Posted by admin in Transportation on October 19, 2011

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Friends Of Riverside’s Hills Files Perris Valley Line Lawsuit

Posted by admin in Public Policy, Resoration Economy, Transportation on September 5, 2011

The American Planning Association Daily Planning News offered a concise statement of the issues as you might expect from a professional organization.

When the impacts of economic growth threaten the health of the community and our environment, then economic and environmental justice demand a high return on taxpayer dollars. Professional planners all know this. They also know that politics always plays a role and that’s where the public interest gets left behind. That’s when professionals loose sight of who their professional expertise is supposed to serve. That would be the public.

The RCTC stands ready to defend what will soon become indefensible. They recently settled a lawsuit by the Riverside Unified School District. The District had to sue in order to get obvious mitigation measures.

If our public agencies are forced to sue each other over a project’s mitigation measures, there is likely something more serious being perpetrated on the public than meets the eye. Barney Barnett has given us a behind the scenes look at this boon doggle project.

That leaves the University Neighborhood, Sycamore Highlands and parts of Orange Crest to fend for ourselves. The City signed an M.O.U. with the RCTC to get quiet zones for the rest of the City if they agreed not to support any opposition to the Perris Valley Line.

It seems a bit inconsistent for a City proclaiming and celebrating very real achievements in many areas of environmental excellence to remain silent as city residents are forced to sue to have their environmental rights and quality of life protected. Read the complaint and suit at: 2011.08.23 Petition for Writ of Mandate

Good public transportation policy is generally agreed to add value to the ridership. Cost, convenience and comfort are the ridership drivers that keep public transportation operational and profitable.

The Perris Valley line will be comfortable. But cost and convenience are simply not there. That makes it poor public policy. The environmental impacts are being challenged in the Friend’s lawsuit.

The rest of Riverside will soon be enjoying quiet nights and restful sleep. Our wishes for sweet dreams aside, we will be organizing, fund raising and generally having a grand old time celebrating University Neighborhood Values — even if it’s before a judge.

Pass this around to your friends and neighbors. Urge them to sign up to get updates and opportunities for some mirth and fund raising parities – UNA style.

Are We Being Railroaded By The Perris Valley Line?

Posted by admin in Health, Public Policy, Transportation on September 5, 2011

The first of two public comment meetings on the Environmental Impact Report for the Perris Valley Line is April 14th and on the 22nd.

The EIR is supposed to be available at the public libraries. Recent reports to the contrary indicate they are missing in action at Riverside’s main library and they are certainly absent from the Highgrove Library.

You may recall Barney Barnett’s ongoing campaing – eight years now – to include the Highgrove location as part of the Metrolink plan.

The EIR doesn’t seem to adequately address the fact that the Highgrove location serves two rail lines, provides greater access and opens the project to an even larger ridership. The criteria scores for the alternatives seem pretty weak.

Stopping to reverse direction seems like a small price to pay for securing a regionally beneficial, future option. And since we’re using scarce federal dollars, I suggest we all ask if this is really the best use of taxpayer funds. Is it really the best option for what’s urgently wanted and needed for our transportation needs? You be the judge.

Does it offer access to the largest possible audience of taxpayers and riders?

It it the most highly leveraged solution for a regional rather than local transportation program?

How much more will it cost us in the future to secure the same result we should be considering right now?

Take a look at the mitigation measures.

Quiet Zones

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BNSF City Quiet Zone Update

Posted by admin in Public Policy, Transportation on July 29, 2011

BNSF Quiet Zone update week ending July 15^th

· The construction contract for the Jane Street closure was advertised for bids and will close July 19^th. Construction will tentatively start in late August.

· Bids for the Jackson Street improvements (sidewalks and medians) have been opened City Council approved contract award on June 21, 2011. Construction is expected to begin in late-July.

· Remaining crossings:

- For the remaining crossings the City received an additional agreement for crossing surface agreements from the BNSF.

The agreements continue to be in review by Public Works and the City Attorney’s Office.

- A meeting occurred with BNSF on July 13^th to discuss the construction and maintenance agreement for signals. BNSF will revise and agreement and send to the City for review.

- Strategy for the crossing improvements is for the Railroad to begin panel installation at 14 crossings this summer and complete after fourth quarter shut down. (During the fourth quarter work is not permitted in the railroad right-of-way.)

Beginning January 2012, the BNSF will complete the concrete panel installation and the City will begin construction of the curb, gutter, & sidewalk improvements. The anticipated date to complete installation of the railroad signal equipment is the end of 2012.

If you know of anyone else that would like to receive these updates, please forward their information, or have them give me a call.

Jenna Combs

Sr. Administrative Analyst

(951) 826-5847 (office)

(951) 313-4039 (cell)

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