Westside Story Newspaper – Online The News of The Empire – Sharing the Quest for Excellence
By John Coleman
(EMPIRE NEWS NETWORK)—- REDLANDS, CA— Special members of the public were invited to join officials who represent federal, state, county, local communities and business interests in the ceremonial groundbreaking of the extension of the passenger rail service to, and eventually through Redlands. The ceremony was held on July 20, 2019.
For the period necessary for the ceremony, Redlands traffic was diverted from Stuart Street between Texas Street and Orange Street in Redlands. A small number of residents from the area were also in attendance. The event was covered by local, regional and electronic media.
The Redlands Passenger Rail Project (RPRP) describes itself as an advanced regional transportation project designed to connect residents, businesses and visitors to a variety of leisure, education, healthcare and other destinations. The nine-mile rail project provides new transportation choices through the implementation of a new rail service that integrates conveniently with other transportation modes such as auto, bus and bicycle.
The route starts at it’s national and Metrolink rail services base located at the Santa Fe Depot near Downtown San Bernardino then it proceeds locally to the San Bernardino Transit Center where it connects with the (non-rail) Omnitrans, Mountain Transit, Pass Transit, Victor Valley Transit systems and the SB/X route that flows from north of CSUSB to the Loma Linda University and Medical Center and to the VA Medical Center.
The Redlands Passenger Rail Project proceeds through the SBTransit Center, jogs south and east to cross the Santa Ana River, stops at the to-be-built new Tippecanoe Ave Station, runs along-side the 10 freeway and Redlands Blvd to the to-be built station at ESRI , on to the under- construction Redlands Train Station, & University (of Redlands) station.
Congressman, Pete Aguilar, (also the former Mayor, City of Redlands) headlined the list of officials who participated in the Redlands Passenger Rail Project ‘Groundbreaking’ Ceremony. Several other participating officials lauded Congressman Aguilar for the kind & extent of his work in securing the funds & other support required to advance this tranportation project. 
Metrolink 
Federal,State, & other transportation officials. 
Photo Op Finished talking ‘serious business’, officials were ready to go out & play in the dirt! Decorated shovels awaited their Redlands Passenger Rail Project, Ceremonial ‘Groundbreaking’. 
Congressman Aguilar; Stephanie Wiggins, Chief Executive Officer, Metrolink (SCRRA); Ray Tellis, Regional Administrator, Federal Transit Administration, Region 9; Elissa Konove, (CSTA); & Henry Nickel, Member, San Bernardino City Council, representing Mayor Valdivia. 
City of Redlands Staff. 
One MORE???? 
Lifelong Redlands residents; Ms Jean, & Ms Ceciela. 
Life ‘Partners’hj ! Long walk ! Where can we cross these tracks ?
