Coachella Rail Station Chugs Forward

Grant money secured for Coachella rail station feasibility study.

COACHELLA – The City of Coachella, in partnership with Riverside County Transportation Commission (RCTC), was recently awarded a $2 million grant to help pay for transformative planning and implementation projects that expand access, increase mobility options, bring jobs and housing closer together, and achieve a more sustainable growth pattern across the region.

In July 2022, the Riverside County Transportation Commission unanimously certified the Tier 1 program-level environmental document, which studied daily intercity passenger rail service between Los Angeles and the Coachella Valley. RCTC and Caltrans now are seeking funding for the Tier 2 project-level environmental studies. A Tier 2 study will include an analysis of detailed engineering and environmental topics, helping to move the project closer to construction.

This service will transform, connect, promote sustainability, create access and equity, expand economic investment and tourism, and offer more travel choices across the U.S. for residents of this rapidly growing region.

Coachella represents one of seven projects in Riverside County aimed at positively impacting quality of life by increasing economic and career opportunities and reducing vehicle emissions across the region.

“REAP 2.0 provides vital funding to strategic transportation planning efforts that address traffic congestion, pollution, and equity across Riverside County,” said Commission Chair and Lake Elsinore City Councilmember Robert “Bob” Magee.

Coachella’s study will create a vision and implementation plan for the multimodal transit-supportive rail station district in the city, including a land use-focused development strategy, infrastructure investments, active transportation projects, and placemaking amenities to increase housing and jobs in a walkable and transit-accessible environment. The study is intended to support RCTC’s Coachella Valley Rail project that would provide passenger rail service between Los Angeles Union Station and the Coachella Valley.

“This grant positions Coachella to welcome the train into our City and brings us closer to expanding mobility for residents and visitors alike,” Coachella Mayor Steven Hernandez said in a prepared statement.

For additional information, please visit Coachella.org.