Metrolink: Temecula to Riverside is a go!!

[jeffe77]

www.valleybusinessjournal.com/?p=978

"Last month, Roberts scored a major victory toward realizing his goal. The RCTC completed a feasibility study on his brainchild. A commuter rail connecting Temecula to Riverside is now possible, the study reported......Metrolink began engineering the rail line immediately. Called the “Perris Valley Line,” the new train will shoot Temecula Valley residents to their work places at more than 70 mph."

Workin’ On a Railroad
by Peter Surowski

Temecula City Council Member Ron Roberts has spent the last four years working on bringing a commuter rail to the Temecula Valley. He is finally seeing his work bear fruit.

Ron Roberts pressed the brake as his car slowed to a stop. He looked at his watch; he was running late. He leaned to his right side to see around the car in front of him. Traffic went on for miles. As he settled back in his seat, he had a revelation: traffic is stupid.

From that day forward, he became dedicated to bringing a commuter train to his home city. He began talking with members of the Riverside County Transport Commission about his idea. They decided to explore the possibility.

Last month, Roberts scored a major victory toward realizing his goal. The RCTC completed a feasibility study on his brainchild. A commuter rail connecting Temecula to Riverside is now possible, the study reported.

Roberts was elated. “I just hate sitting in traffic,” said Roberts. “I believe in alternative transportation.”

Metrolink began engineering the rail line immediately. Called the “Perris Valley Line,” the new train will shoot Temecula Valley residents to their work places at more than 70 mph.

Southwest Riverside County is one of the last areas to gain access to the Metrolink. The current lines end at Riverside and Corona. Roberts used to drive to Riverside to catch the Metrolink to Los Angeles. After all, he thought, he was a member of a transportation commission. He should use all forms of transportation in Riverside County.

“I had to drive all the way up to Riverside to go to my meetings in L.A.,” Roberts said. “It didn’t make sense to drive an hour and a half to catch a commuter train.”

That the rail system is already in place made the plan very feasible. More than a century ago, Union Pacific built a freight line that runs parallel to Highway 74 from Riverside to San Jacinto. The county will need to refurbish the existing rails to accommodate a high-speed commuter train. This cost is less than that of building the rail from scratch. Then, they will need to connect the existing rail to Temecula with new rail.

“The line was already there, and with it comes the right of way and the grade crossings,” said Roberts. “It’s going to be much less expensive.”

The county is now in the planning stage. Once the engineering is done, Metrolink will await funding. Roberts expects construction to begin in 2009, and the train to be up and running by 2010.
“I expect the trains to fill up in the first week,” he said. “[When a new line opens] people immediately get out of their cars and get in the train.”

John Standiford, spokesperson for the RCTC, agreed with Robert’s statement. “[The Metrolink] has been very popular,” he said. Extending the line to the Temecula Valley is one of his top priorities. “Temecula is becoming one of the most vibrant cities in SoCal.”

Eventually, Standiford hopes to connect the Metrolink lines to San Diego. Connecting Temecula is a necessary step in this process.

The feasibility study went over another possibility besides the Perris Valley Line. The study also reported information on a line that would parallel the I-15 freeway to Corona.

“The numbers didn’t look good for that,” said Standiford. “The cost was somewhat prohibitive.” Such a line would suffer the burden of being built from scratch. Standiford cited the cost of carving into hills as the most prohibitive aspect of the plan.

The plan is not completely out of the question yet. The RCTC will explore the possibility of incorporating private involvement to offset the county’s cost. Some developers in Southern Corona have already shown interest in getting involved, said Standiford.

“In most areas where a rail has developed, the economy increases,” he said. “[The rail] could attract more people because they appreciate the convenience of [rail travel.]”

The RCTC members are planning on taking the train one step further than ameliorating traffic. They want to make commuting a pleasant experience. “We need to rethink public transit, because it’s slower and less comfortable than it needs to be,” said Standiford. “We’ve been throwing around the idea of serving coffee, providing TVs with movies, wireless Internet so you could check your email on the way to work.”

Eventually, Roberts, Standiford, and all the members of the commission would like to see every corner of the county connected to the Metrolink system. “It’s been our goal since Metrolink began,” said Standiford. “Anything that offers an alternative to [freeway traffic] is a breath of fresh air.”

[vnc]

I hope they can get this going.

Does anyone here know. How much the track, etc is still in place all the way to Fallbrook and Oceanside? If so. I wouldn't mind seeing this going all the way through. Which would have great benefits to all. I even wouldn't mind seeing a Surfliner or two running from San Diego to San Bernardino using this route

[whitmanlam]

Shooting Temecula Valley residents to their workplaces at 70 mph ??

I guess this means they won't have to share track with freight trains... that's a beautiful thing in and of itself.

[kingsfan]

Metrolink is a great example of a no-frills public transit system that works. People love it. It should be expanded where ever possible.

[vnc]

Heck. I would think you could get a train to do 90 mph or more. If you build the R-O-W the right way.

[saadi]

Metrolink is a great example of a no-frills public transit system that works. People love it. It should be expanded where ever possible.

I agree! I'd love to see some of these metrolink trains going down the freeway medians into the westside. Imagine taking a train from santa monica that would get you to downtown in 2 stops, or a train that would go from lax to sherman oaks in 3 or 4.


"grade separated and double track in each direction."

[bobdavis]

First of all a correction to the original report: The rail line from Riverside to Perris was built by Calif. Southern, which became part of Santa Fe. Union Pacific was not involved. Plans call for Metrolink service to terminate near where the track goes under the 215 freeway southeast of Perris. Eventually a new line may be constructed down to Temecula, but this is probably 10 to 15 years into the future, and would require building a new railroad from scratch. As it is, the line to Perris will require some serious upgrading--right now it's only approved for low speed freight operation, and the segment southeast of Perris is rated for 10mph and has no grade crossing signals. Since the freight traffic will probably continue (building materials, grain for feed mills and industrial chemicals), a block signal system will have to be installed to keep trains separated and to prevent collisions if a freight car gets onto the main line. I believe FRA regulation require signal protection if trains are to run faster than 49mph.
As far as running Metrolink trains "down the freeway medians into the westside", I don't think the medians are wide enough for a double track main-line standard railroad. The necessity for building an elevated structure would make light rail a better choice--no heavy diesel locomotives (and no diesel fumes to bother the NIMBYs).

[nickv]

Between the Perris Valley Line extension to Temecula and the I-15 corridor line, Metrolink has got a challenge ahead to service SW Riverside County: To build the rail lines from scratch. Is it possible to get them done by 2010? It may be possible, but unlikely... And I don't think taking shortcuts on such a big project would be a good idea. On the other hand, it's great that RCTC said it's possible to extend the Perris Valley Line to Temecula.

It also looks like the SCAG, RCTC, and WRCOG are really going for Transit Oriented Development in Temecula:

www.compassblueprint.org/files/report_temecula.pdf
(SCAG may have to revise this report if Metrolink trains are to serve this station)

BTW, I'm not quite sure if FedEx is up to moving its distribution center which is in the TOD area, but Temecula has a good history of aquiring property in friendly ways without having to go for eminent domain.

Between outbound & inbound commuters and weekend travelers headed to Wine Country, Old Town, and the casino, this area needs a regional transit line.... And Metrolink may be an answer.

[saadi]

saadi said:

As far as running Metrolink trains "down the freeway medians into the westside", I don't think the medians are wide enough for a double track main-line standard railroad. The necessity for building an elevated structure would make light rail a better choice--no heavy diesel locomotives (and no diesel fumes to bother the NIMBYs).

In regard to freeway medians and Metrolink, in the end if there is a will there is a way, we always find ways to widen freeways or add carpool lanes. Adding a double tracked grade separated Metrolink line shouldn't be any different. In regards to diesel fumes, I don't know if it will make a huge difference to NIMBY's considering its going to be in the middle of a freeway. Metrolink trains currently travel through residential areas in other parts of the southland, so I don't see how a line to the westside should be any different. Especially when this line would be capable of moving commuters from Santa Monica to Downtown in 2 to 3 stops. The biggest issue is that the Metrolink commuter rail network is incomplete and connections to the westside and along the 405 are necessary additions to make Metrolink a useful asset for everyone in this region. It would also be a strong compliment to our (cross our fingers) growing metro network. The metro network is not going to function well over the longer distances because of its absence of double tracking and for the most part lack of grade separation. For a rider to get to Santa Monica from Pasadena they'd have to endure a ride that would be 30 stops and have 2 transfers all while traveling at a speed of around 33 miles an hour max. This isn't going to cut it for this region, and I believe we can make something better with relative ease. We need a pairing of a commuter rail system that will be able to shuttle people across this grid in 3 to 4 stops, once people have reached their region of interest then our metro network is a more effective network for them to use.

[kenalpern]

Although I am absolutely in favor of having an Express Expo Line that has stops at the Santa Monica terminus, the Venice/Robertson station, the Crenshaw/Expo station and USC, the Downtown region is too dense to make such a skip-stop option a reality when the line is northeast of USC. Perhaps a skip-stop Expo/Gold transit route, with a Downtown Connector, would markedly reduce the number of stops and infinitely be faster than going by car.

Another option in addition to the above Express Expo/Gold Line is extension of the Metrolink network via the Harbor Subdivision ROW, although such a line would be more from LAX to Burbank and hit similar locations if not the exact ones that the Pasadena Gold Line now serves.

[saadi]

kenalpern said:

Although I am absolutely in favor of having an Express Expo Line that has stops at the Santa Monica terminus, the Venice/Robertson station, the Crenshaw/Expo station and USC, the Downtown region is too dense to make such a skip-stop option a reality when the line is northeast of USC. Perhaps a skip-stop Expo/Gold transit route, with a Downtown Connector, would markedly reduce the number of stops and infinitely be faster than going by car.

Another option in addition to the above Express Expo/Gold Line is extension of the Metrolink network via the Harbor Subdivision ROW, although such a line would be more from LAX to Burbank and hit similar locations if not the exact ones that the Pasadena Gold Line now serves.

If expo was grade separated and double tracked I'd see merit to using the expo for express service. But in its current format its just going to be a rehash of what was created with the gold line. The gold line express service goes an average speed of 33 mph, that really isn't a reasonable speed to travel if you are trying to go from region to region. The same argument can be made for the Harbor Subdivision, its valuable even though it hits the same final destinations that a trip on the blue line to green line would. I can see lines like these functioning very well for shorter trips within regions, but if I'm trying to go across the city grid I would not want to endure trips that are that slow. If LA adopted a plan of expanding Metrolink to the westside (downtown to santa monica), (downtown to LAX/Southbay and a 405 Alignment to Sherman Oaks or Van Nuys) to work in tandem with the developing metro network then we'd start having workable commuter rail for this region.

for this region and these distances we need.
"grade separated and double tracking."

[dasubergeek]

Agreed.

Yet it's really a pleasant experience. We know the conductors on our trains; they're kept clean, and people are religious about cleaning up after themselves; riders are almost always pleasant. When I ride Amtrak 799 to Burbank I notice immediately how much worse the train ride is -- the conductors are abrupt, the trains are absolutely filthy, etc.

We were all given a survey several months ago about what to do to improve Metrolink's amenities, everything from WiFi access to coffee (in the morning) and alcohol (in the afternoon) available on the trains.

For what it's worth, when I started riding Metrolink, I went from Fullerton. It got so crowded that I was having trouble finding parking, and wouldn't find a seat if I were far back in the line. So I started riding from Anaheim, which is the same distance the other way... and now I'm noticing that the lines are going from 3 or 4 people to 7 or 8, in a matter of a couple of months.

What will win more people over to Metrolink is if they expand service, allowing people like myself to have a business dinner in LA and still catch a train home to Orange County. Right now the last train out of LA for OC is at 18:30. Also, slightly more service during the day would help -- currently, if something comes up at, say, 11 AM, and I need to go home, I have to either wait for a 13:20 train out of LA Union Station or make non-transit arrangements.

[whitmanlam]

The strengths of Metrolink are the fast speed and comfort. But the service is not nearly frequent enough. Nightly and weekend service are almost nonexistent.... starting to change... but still not there.

Light rail Expo Line can have frequent service. But the speed is too slow.

If I had a choice, I'd like something in between.... like a Redline Subway to Santa Monica. But we all know how far off that is.

[nickv]

Somehow this discussion drifted from SW Riverside to Westside LA

What will win more people over to Metrolink is if they expand service, allowing people like myself to have a business dinner in LA and still catch a train home to Orange County.

The extended Perris Valley Line would probably have to be the same story. From non-rush hour inbound/outbond commuters to tourists visiting Old Town/Pechanga and jurors making the 50+ mile trips to the County and Federal Courthouses in Downtown, this line I believe needs to operate around the clock on all days, not just during rush hour.

Pechanga Parkway between the casino and I-15 is constantly congested with tourist traffic. I believe they need a transportation alternative.

[wad]

nickv said:

Pechanga Parkway between the casino and I-15 is constantly congested with tourist traffic. I believe they need a transportation alternative.

The problem is that the train cannot go there. The Pechanga casino is far away from I-15. It's about 2 miles south of SR-79, the exit from I-15.

[nickv]

The problem is that the train cannot go there. The Pechanga casino is far away from I-15. It's about 2 miles south of SR-79, the exit from I-15.

That's true; a "StationLink" shuttle would have to feed passengers from the proposed Temecula Transit Center to Old Town & Pechanga. That's also the case for inbound commuters headed to the Guidant/Abbot facility and other major employers in the region.

Most commuters/travelers headed to LAUS have to transfer to a connecting line to reach their final destination. The same is true for Anaheim and Disneyland. Trains can't go to every activity center out there. That's why we have Metrolink feeder shuttles, local busses, BRT, and LRT/HRT to feed to/from the Metrolink system.

[whitmanlam]

I'm sure the Pechanga Casino wouldn't mind shelling out for a direct shuttle to the Train Station. Maybe even build a trolley line, who knows, investment pays big dividends in gambling dollars.

But frequent train and shuttle service is a must, if it's to be an alternative to driving all the way out there. And maybe a rider's discount at the restaurant or gaming tables to sweeten the deal.

[kenalpern]

Hey...what if we allowed the laws to change so that gambling could occur in trains owned and operated by Pechanga? What if trains to Vegas allowed gambling right when you got on the train? What if some of the gambling earnings went to running these trains?

Could we see more train service on Metrolink then...

Just a curious, if not stupid and ridiculous, idea...

[nickv]

Hey...what if we allowed the laws to change so that gambling could occur in trains owned and operated by Pechanga? What if trains to Vegas allowed gambling right when you got on the train? What if some of the gambling earnings went to running these trains?

Could we see more train service on Metrolink then...

Just a curious, if not stupid and ridiculous, idea...

I actually think having some sort of comfortable lounge & entertainment car for Long Distance Amtrak Trains (which is already partially offered in their sightseeing cars), the Surfliner, and HSR is not ridiculous at all.

Casino trains are something else, I think, needs to be studied before put into service. I believe both pro's and con's need to be considered. My reasoning is not about traffic or pollution, but for the safety of the SoCal community. Although casino trains could help fund a rail system and lure travelers to ditch their cars, increased crime (both on board and at station city stops), crowd control, gambling addicts, and security I think need to be addressed. I don't think any shortcut planning on something like this would be safe for the SoCal community.

[whitmanlam]

I find this very interesting but not really conceivable....


SoCal Train Depot May Be Built Under Mountains


(AP) SANTA CLARITA, Calif. Developers are proposing an under-mountain train depot beneath the planned 5,800-home Las Lomas project in the San Gabriel Mountains between Sylmar and Santa Clarita.

Residents of the mountaintop subdivision would take elevators down 300 feet to reach the Metrolink platform along an existing subterranean rail tunnel. Sketches, but no actual blueprints, are already being circulated.

Metrolink spokesman Denise Tyrrell says as far as she knows "there's no such station in the United States."

Las Lomas, in one of the nation's most active earthquake zones, would be served by Metrolink's Antelope Valley line, which travels in part beneath the proposed development site.

Promoters of Las Lomas have billed the project as a "smart growth, transit-oriented community."

[James Fujita]

it sounds like the developers of Las Lomas are trying to come up with ways to justify their "transit oriented" label and maybe also butter up whichever government body needs to approve this project.

Portland's Washington Park Zoo light rail station is the closest I can think of to this idea and that is a light rail station, with smaller trains and electrification, etc. as long as Metrolink is dieselized, you're going to need some serious ventilation or something to protect anyone standing on the platform. I say, let Las Lomas pay for the station, and then we'll see how quickly they drop the idea.

BTW, what does this have to do with Temecula?

[James Fujita]

nickv said:

I actually think having some sort of comfortable lounge & entertainment car for Long Distance Amtrak Trains (which is already partially offered in their sightseeing cars), the Surfliner, and HSR is not ridiculous at all.

Casino trains are something else, I think, needs to be studied before put into service. I believe both pro's and con's need to be considered. My reasoning is not about traffic or pollution, but for the safety of the SoCal community. Although casino trains could help fund a rail system and lure travelers to ditch their cars, increased crime (both on board and at station city stops), crowd control, gambling addicts, and security I think need to be addressed. I don't think any shortcut planning on something like this would be safe for the SoCal community.

just for fun, I decided to google "casino train" and I found quite a few examples of trains to casinos- or at least, to the cities where the casino is located. Atlantic City, for example, or the Mohegan Sun in Connecticut. but I found no examples of gambling on trains, except for maybe playing poker for tiddlywinks in the Amtrak lounge.

besides the social issues involved, I would think that there would be logistical issues as well; namely, supposing 100-200 passengers on the train, how many of those casino train riders would actually be able to gamble- what with limited space and all? I keep thinking of the overwhelmed AmCafe attendant on the San Joaquin; you could set up rows of slot machines, but those are extremely regulated, I don't think you'd get permission for those.

anyways, I think it sounds like a great idea until you actually try to do it.

[whitmanlam]

jfujita said:

I say, let Las Lomas pay for the station, and then we'll see how quickly they drop the idea.

BTW, what does this have to do with Temecula?

Sorry, I couldn't find another thread for this topic.
But imagine what we can do if Metrolink stations and tracks can go subterranean.
We can see more stations in densely populated areas without having to worry about ROW or eminent domain. The problem is the diesel fumes, unhealthy for passengers and people standing on the platforms.
I don't know if Casino bound trains would work. California gaming laws are very stingy. And most people would rather spend their money at the casino, than to spend it traveling to the casino.

[jeffe77]

wad said:

nickv said:

Pechanga Parkway between the casino and I-15 is constantly congested with tourist traffic. I believe they need a transportation alternative.

The problem is that the train cannot go there. The Pechanga casino is far away from I-15. It's about 2 miles south of SR-79, the exit from I-15.

However, we are talking about a Casino here. A Cash Cow that is willing to do anything to bring in more tourist/gamblers or make it convenient to transport people. They can kick in some $$ to help fund rails to Temecula. Just a thought.

[kenalpern]

As much as I am not a big fan of gambling in general, both Vegas and Temecula-area Indian casinos are indeed a reality. If they can help fund new rail construction/operations, then so be it. I know that it is one heckuva long way on Friday nights to Vegas, and perhaps a train could be established as an alternative. Gambling instead of gridlock on the way to Vegas--I think it might actually be as reasonable an idea as any.

[nickv]

Update: Metrolink: Temecula to Riverside is a go!!

Well it's not Metrolink, but hopefully we'll have a regional transportation alternative between the OC and Temecula Valley for weekend travelers headed to the Temecula Valley in the near future. As I posted earlier, RTA has proposed in their SRTP weekend express bus service along the I-15 corridor between the North Main Corona Metrolink Station and Temecula. Currently this line runs during rush hours only and is very productive with high ridership figures considering it's a 30+ mile express bus route.

(Sorry Ted Balaker, highly paid workers living in car-dependent SW Riverside County are willing to ditch their cars at the park & ride and ride together on buses too)

After looking at a Board Presentation on the OCTA Web site which relates to the Metrolink Weekends program, (http://www.octa.net/presentation/082707/metrolink.pdf) I wrote this e-mail request to RTA, OCTA, and the RCTC and I invite others to do the same.

RTA: www.riversidetransit.com/about/comment.htm
RCTC: www.rctc.org/contact/index.asp
OCTA: [e-mail] <[e-mail]>

...........................

To Whom it May Concern:

I would like to commend OCTA for their efforts in bringing Metrolink Weekends into Southern California. Certainly this has made weekend travel into OC and Downtown LA much more meaningful.

The Riverside Transit Agency has proposed in their Short Range Transit Plan weekend service on one their regional express commuter lines, Line 206. This line currently operates during rush hours only and connects Lake Elsinore, Murrieta, and Temecula to the Corona Metrolink Station via the I-15 Corridor with timed transfers to Metrolink, serving commuters living in these cities who work in LA or Orange County.

Source: www.riversidetransit.com/downloads/boardDocs/Operations/07-0502/Item9-FY08%20Budget%20SRTP.pdf

I'm writing this request to OCTA because I believe Orange County residents will benefit from this bus line too should it be introduced on weekends. As you may know, Lake Elsinore is home to a very popular outlet center, and Temecula is home to Wine Country, its famous Old Town area, and Southern California's "Las Vegas" resort, Pechanga.

During a Public Hearing period, I strongly suggested to RTA that this weekend line not only offer Temecula Valley & Lake Elsinore residents connections to Orange County attractions via Metrolink Weekends trains, but to also schedule this bus line to allow Orange County residents connections to attractions in Lake Elsinore and the Temecula Valley via Metrolink Weekends and this bus line. I also suggested that consideration be made to extend this Line south to the Pechanga Casino on weekends should they have the resources to do so, with an intermediate stop at Old Town Temecula.

I would suggest working with RTA, RCTC, and Metrolink with this proposal. I think adding hot attractions like Pechanga and the Outlet Stores to the OC Metrolink Weekends Fun Guide would attract many people to the Metrolink IEOC Line on weekends.

A public hearing for this bus line will be held Oct. 11 at 7 p.m. at the Temecula Library, 30600 Pauba Road.

Best Regards,

Nick Ventrone,
Metrolink Weekends Rider
RTA Bus Rider

cc. Riverside Transit Agency, RCTC

..............................

I'm also drafting comments for the upcoming RTA public hearing for this bus line and encourage anybody who works or comes to play in Temecula to do the same:

Weekend Service on Line 206 - I commend RTA for the proposed extension of weekend transit service along the I-15 Corridor linking the Tyler Mall, Corona Metrolink Station, and the Temecula Valley. I strongly suggest that this line offer bidirectional service. This will allow Temecula Valley & Lake Elsinore residents connections to Orange County attractions via Metrolink Weekends trains and will also allow Orange County residents to connect to attractions in Lake Elsinore and the Temecula Valley. With that, I suggest that the line offer timed connections to both inbound and outbound Metrolink Weekend trains in Corona. If the line is structured this way, I believe this will help greatly with the Metrolink Weekends program. I also suggest that consideration be made once the SR 79 South Park & Ride is complete to extend this Line to the SR 79 South Park & Ride on weekdays, and south to the Pechanga Casino on weekends, with an intermediate stop at Old Town Temecula.

[jeffe77]

Lake Elsinore officials will lobby Congress this year for support for a Metrolink rail line between Corona and Lake Elsinore, a project that has no blueprints and is at least a decade away.



Carrie Rosema/The Press-Enterprise
The North Main Corona Metrolink station is one of the stops for this train. There’s no rail line that links Corona and Lake Elsinore, but some commuters hope to see someday a Metrolink train traveling alongside Interstate 15 from Lake Elsinore to Corona.



Carrie Rosema/The Press-Enterprise
Some commuters living in Temecula, Murrieta and Lake Elsinore drive to the North Main Corona Metrolink station to catch a train to Orange County.

By AARON BURGIN
The Press-Enterprise

A Metrolink train zooming alongside Interstate 15 from Lake Elsinore to Corona is something commuters and government officials hope to see someday.

Lake Elsinore officials will lobby Congress this year for support for a Metrolink rail line between Corona and Lake Elsinore, a project that has no blueprints and is at least a decade away.

By getting support now, Lake Elsinore officials say they hope they can receive federal funding when the time comes to design and construct what will likely be an expensive rail line.

"We wanted to sow the seed," city spokesman Mark Dennis said.

Lake Elsinore City Councilman Robert Magee, who sits on the Riverside County Transportation Commission, requested the council to direct its lobbyist The Ferguson Group, to seek support in Washington, D.C., for the project. The development of the actual project would be done by the transportation commission, which sets regional transportation policy.

The transportation commission has discussed the idea of a Metrolink extension along the Interstate 15 corridor for a number of years.

Nothing came of discussions before because of the high cost to acquire land and railroad right-of-ways, construct tracks and to purchase the cars.

Project Cost
A study done by the transportation commission last year at the request of Magee estimated a rail extension between the two cities would cost $217 million to $249 million.

The cost would be millions of dollars more than for the proposed Metrolink extension from Moreno Valley to Perris, which federal officials earlier this month included in a budget proposal now before Congress.

The study concluded the county alone could not bear the cost of the project, transportation commission spokesman John Standiford said.

While the extensions would be about the same length, the transportation commission owned most of the right-of-way for the $168 million Perris Valley Line.

There is no rail line linking Corona and Lake Elsinore; the closest track is a BNSF line from downtown Corona to El Cerrito, which serves as a freight line to the 3M plant. The line used to serve mining companies along the Interstate 15 corridor north of Lake Elsinore and manufacturers in the Temecula area, officials said.

Railroads used to crisscross the Lake Elsinore area, but most vestiges of the rail system have vanished; some are now part of Riverside County's walking and bike trails, 1st District Supervisor Bob Buster said.

"You have to lay new tracks and buy new right-of-way, both major investments," Standiford said. "Without some sort of additional funding, possibly from the federal government or private sector, it wasn't financially doable in the short term."

Officials, however, said they see the benefits of mass transit such as a Metrolink along the corridor.

Commuters Surveyed
The transportation commission found when it surveyed commuters before constructing a new parking lot at the North Main-Corona Metrolink station that many commuters go up I-15 to catch the train, Standiford said.

Diane McPherson, who lives in Oceanside and regularly rides the Metrolink train, said she has friends who live in Temecula, Murrieta and Lake Elsinore who drive to the existing North Main Corona Station just to catch the train to Orange County.

"It would be fabulous if they had a line extend that far," McPherson said.

A link between Corona and Lake Elsinore would serve the needs of south county residents heading to work in Riverside, Orange and Los Angeles counties, said Corona Councilwoman Karen Spiegel. It does not seem like it would be heavily used by people in Corona, she added.

"We just haven't heard from our residents wanting us to pursue that link to Lake Elsinore," she said.

Corona has state and federal lobbyists pursuing transportation funding, and Spiegel will head to Washington, D.C., next month to lobby for commuting dollars. But the Lake Elsinore link is nowhere on the city's agenda for this year.

Corona's Focus
Groundbreaking for a new Metrolink parking structure in Corona is scheduled for this fall, and the city has prioritized efforts to build a commuter-oriented commercial center around downtown Corona's station. That project is where Corona's lobbying energies are focused, Spiegel said.

Spiegel said she was unaware that Lake Elsinore officials were seeking federal funding for the link.

"At this point, Corona is neutral on the issue, but that doesn't mean we've closed the doors," she said

Thousands of Lake Elsinore residents already commute to Corona by car for work, clogging I-15 during peak traffic hours, said County Supervisor John Tavaglione, whose district includes Corona.

"The more people you can take off of the freeways coming from the south part of the county, the better," Tavaglione said. "All you have to do is sit at the 15 and (Highway) 91 interchange and see that traffic stuck on the on-ramp to know if you had more ways to relieve the traffic, the better off everyone would be.

"This can be helped by more transit," Tavaglione said.

Buster, however, said even if Lake Elsinore gets a congressional OK for the project, it would still have to prove the project is cost-effective.

"They can have their wish list, but they still need to grapple with that recent analysis," Buster said. "They need to punch holes in it, or reduce the cost."

In the short term, the transportation commission is looking at adding rapid-transit bus lines, which travel to major destinations along the freeways instead of streets, as a public transit tool along the I-15 corridor.

"Rail wouldn't be in this decade, but definitely into another decade," Tavaglione said.

Staff writer Paige Austin contributed to this report.

Reach Aaron Burgin at 951-375-3733 or [e-mail]

[wrcousert]

It's been a year since this article was published.

Does anyone have any updates? Is it really going to be operating in 2010?

Transit is so bad out here that I'm seriously thinking about moving back to Orange County.

[nickv]

As of now, the Perris Valley Line is slated to open by 2011 from Perris as an extension of the Metrolink 91 Line to LAUS. No current updates on the Temecula extension other than possible connecting BRT service via the I-215 corridor.

[billcousert]

Has any progress been made on this?

Any chance Metrolink could run a simulator bus until the line is built?