Rep. Takano Sends Letter to Federal Transit Administration Requesting Perris Valley Line Funding Remain Intact

Washington DC – Today, Rep. Mark Takano (D-Riverside) sent a letter to Administrator Peter Rogoff of the Federal Transit Administration (FTA) requesting the $75 million appropriated under the Small Starts program for the Perris Valley Line remain available for the Riverside County Transportation Commission (RCTC).

 

In the letter, Rep. Takano reassured the FTA the commitment of the project’s sponsor saying, “The Riverside County Transportation Commission (RCTC) has assured me that they are pursuing all options available to ensure that the Perris Valley Line ultimately moves forward to construction.”

 

“I urge the Federal Transit Administration (FTA) to take all actions necessary to preserve the $75 million that has been appropriated under the Small Starts program for Perris Valley Line during ongoing litigation. The Small Starts grant is an imperative piece of the total funding for the Perris Valley Line project and I encourage the FTA to ensure that the Perris Valley Line project remain eligible to receive the grant once CEQA litigation has concluded.”

 

The Perris Valley Line is a proposed 24-mile rail line that would provide service to the Downtown Riverside area, Moreno Valley, March Air Reserve Base and Perris. In 2011, a community group with concerns sued after the commission adopted the environmental study. In May, Riverside Superior Court Judge Sharon Waters ruled that construction would be put on hold, potentially costing the RCTC the $75 million in federal funding.

 

 

June 11, 2013

The Honorable Peter Rogoff

Administrator, Federal Transit Administration

1200 New Jersey Ave, SE

Washington, DC 20590

 

 

Dear Administrator Rogoff:

 

The Perris Valley Line Metrolink Extension represents a significant step towards sustainable living in California’s 41st Congressional District and I welcome the $75 million federal investment that has been appropriated by Congress for this project.

 

As you may know, a California Superior Court Judge recently ordered decertification of the Perris Valley Line’s environmental impact report (EIR) prepared under the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA).  The project’s sponsor, the Riverside County Transportation Commission (RCTC), has assured me that they are pursuing all options available to ensure that the Perris Valley Line ultimately moves forward to construction.

 

I urge the Federal Transit Administration (FTA) to take all actions necessary to preserve the $75 million that has been appropriated under the Small Starts program for Perris Valley Line during ongoing litigation. The Small Starts grant is an imperative piece of the total funding for the Perris Valley Line project and I encourage the FTA to ensure that the Perris Valley Line project remain eligible to receive the grant once CEQA litigation has concluded.

 

Perris Valley Line provides critical regional connectivity to my constituents, particularly in the underserved cities of Perris and Moreno Valley, while connecting major job centers in Riverside and March Air Reserve Base. 

 

Thank you for FTA’s continued support of Perris Valley Line and for working with RCTC to advance livability and mobility in California’s 41st Congressional District.

 

Sincerely,

 

Mark Takano

 

CC:       The Honorable Dianne Feinstein

             The Honorable Barbara Boxer