Moreno Valley/March Field Station Upgrades Project
Summary
SCH Number
2020110112
Public Agency
Riverside County Transportation Commission
(RCTC)
Document Title
Moreno Valley/March Field Station Upgrades Project
Document Type
NOE - Notice of Exemption
Received
Posted
11/6/2020
Document Description
RCTC, in partnership with the Southern California Regional Rail Authority (SCRRA, Metrolink), are proposing to upgrade the Moreno Valley/March Field Station in Riverside County. The station serves Metrolink’s 91/PVL and is the midpoint between the Perris Downtown Station and the Riverside-Downtown Station. RCTC is the CEQA lead agency for this project. The Moreno Valley/March Field Station Upgrades project will add a second side platform and lengthen the existing platform from 510 feet to 680 feet to accommodate the SCRRA standard 8-car train length (680 feet) on both platforms. The new platform will be fitted out with the same passenger amenities present at the existing platform, including canopies, mini-high platform, emergency telephone, electronic displays, and signage. The existing at-grade pedestrian crossing with active warning gates and flashing lights will be retained. The project features, and the design of all improvements for the second platform, will be cognizant of a potential future pedestrian overpass to eliminate unnecessary future rework. The project also includes the development of the initial 2.7 miles of a double-track corridor that is planned to eventually extend to Control Point (CP) Nuevo in the City of Perris, a total of about 9 miles. While this 9-mile segment of the corridor already physically includes two tracks, one of the tracks is a wood-tie freight track that is not up to current Metrolink passenger track standards. It currently supports limited freight rail operations by BNSF Railway (BNSF). This second (freight) track must therefore be upgraded by reconstructing the track with new continuous welded rail and concrete ties meeting current SCRRA standards, and the addition of a new railroad signal system to be incorporated into Metrolink’s Positive Train Control (PTC) Network. The limits of the proposed upgrades to this second track are from CP Eastridge at (MP) 72.2 in the City of Riverside to a new CP (referred to as, “CP March”) at MP 74.9 in an unincorporated area of Riverside County, where a higher speed universal crossover will be added.
Contact Information
Name
David Lewis
Agency Name
Riverside County Transportation Commission
Contact Types
Lead/Public Agency
Phone
Email
Location
Cities
Riverside
Counties
Riverside
Regions
Southern California
Railways
Metrolink 91/Perris Valley Line
Other Location Info
The project is located along the Metrolink 91/Perris Valley Line (91/PVL) between MP 72.2 in the City of Riverside and MP 74.9 in Riverside County.
Notice of Exemption
Exempt Status
Statutory Exemption
Type, Section or Code
CEQA Guidelines Article 18 Section 15275(a)
Reasons for Exemption
The proposed project qualifies for a statutory exemption from CEQA, as the project fits into the context of the exemption language. Statutory exemptions from CEQA are granted by the legislature. A statutory exemption from CEQA is provided under Section 21080 (b)(10) of the California Public Resources Code (PRC) (also found in State CEQA Guidelines, Article 18. Statutory Exemptions, Section 15275(a), Specified Mass Transit Projects). This statutory exemption applies to mass transit projects that involve the institution or increase of passenger or commuter service on rail lines already in use. This project proposes infrastructure improvements to add operational flexibility for eventual improved regional rail and mobility service, which will support increased capacity.