March 29, 2010

The Riverside County Transportation Commission (RCTC) proposes to extend commuter rail service from the existing Riverside Downtown Station to the City of Perris. The proposed project, the Perris Valley Line (PVL), would be operated by the Southern California Regional Rail Authority (SCRRA) as a Metrolink line on existing Burlington Northern Santa Fe (BNSF) and the RCTC owned San Jacinto Branch Line (SJBL) track that would be connected via a new short section of track near Citrus Street in Riverside (“Citrus Connection”).

The proposed project would include track rehabilitation with welded rails, new track for a 9‑mile segment parallel to I‑215 south of Box Springs Road and north of Nuevo Road, a new connection with BNSF north of the city of Riverside called the Citrus Connection, track relocated to a new platform at Perris Station, and four new stations. These stations would be located in the Hunter Park area, March Field/Moreno Valley, Perris, and south Perris. A layover facility would be constructed near the South Perris Station. Enhancements would be made at over 15 existing grade crossings and could include flashing warning devices, gates, raised center medians, striping, signing and pavement markings, crossing safety lighting, and pedestrian safety improvements. As a part of upgrading the track, two existing bridges over the San Jacinto River would be replaced.

Last year, RCTC circulated a proposed Initial Study/Mitigated Negative Declaration (IS/MND) for the PVL. In response to public input received (written comments and verbal testimony), RCTC decided to modify the proposed project and elevate the level of environmental document to an Environmental Impact Report (EIR). The Draft EIR will be available for public review April 5, 2010. The Draft EIR will be made available online and hard copies will be available for review at the RCTC offices, the Riverside Public Library, the Moreno Valley Public Library, the Perris Branch Library, and the Woodcrest Library.

RCTC will conduct public hearings:

Wednesday, April 14, 2010 at 9:30 AM
Riverside County Administrative Center
Board Room
4080 Lemon Street
Main Floor
Riverside, CA 92502‑2208

and

Thursday, April 22, 2010 at 6:00 PM
City of Perris City Council Chambers
(corner of San Jacinto and Perris Boulevard)
101 North “D” Street
Perris, California 92570

If you wish to make a comment on the Draft EIR, you may submit your written comments postmarked no later than May 24, 2010 to:

Ms. Edda Rosso, Capital Projects Manager
Riverside County Transportation Commission
P.O. Box 12008
Riverside, CA 92502‑2208