You’re at a red light waiting before you can drive down East Mill St. on your way to work. It’s early and no one’s morning coffee is altering anyone’s Monday moody blues. Passing over the railroad tracks, however, you see some construction and this work may be the start of a whole new morning ritual for you.
From August 2 through August 20, 2018, construction crews have been moving and installing new sewer and water pipelines on East Mill St. as the utility relocation work is underway for the Redlands Passenger Rail Project.
The City of Redlands is currently in the utility relocation phase of their Redlands Passenger Rail Project, which was approved in 2015 after an environmental clearance. During this utility relocation phase, work has included potholing followed by the relocation of various utilities, such as sewer, water pipelines, gas electric, telephone or cable lines along the project corridor at various railroad crossings, according to the project’s construction website.
Central Avenue and Ennis Street have also been impacted by the utility relocation phase recently in July 2018. Citizens of Redlands and San Bernardino can go to the project’s website for the latest on construction activity in their neighborhood.
Mainline construction is currently scheduled for early 2019 and operations and passenger use is scheduled to start in mid-2021 to connect San Bernardino, Loma Linda and Redland communities.
The inception of the Passenger Rail Project began with the purpose of supporting the region’s population and employment growth, designed to “connect residents, businesses and visitors to a variety of leisure, education, healthcare and other destinations,” according to the San Bernardino County Transportation Authority.
The new nine-mile rail project will use Diesel Multiple Unit (DMU) trains, which are powered by a low-emission, clean diesel engine, making it the most efficient choice of transportation and will cost an estimated $290 million, with funds coming from a combination of Federal, State and local funds; including Measure I, the countywide half-cent sales tax for transportation improvements, according to the City of Redlands.
If you’re looking for a new morning commute, an efficient environmental alternative or a way out of pesky traffic, a new course is on its way.