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Re: Metrolink Expansion Study - Indio Yep the Demand is there.
Author: BOB2
Date: 10-11-2016 - 19:30
The demand is there for service from Indio/Coachella, to LA, via both Riverside/OC via the 91 line, and via San Berdo, and the SGV sub, probably much less so for the Riv/LA UP line. I-10 is already a peak hour parking lot in both the am and pm peaks. It's already gridlocked and will get much worse, at all times, very quickly, in the next ten years.
I also agree about personal and tourism travel market in the I-10 interurban corridor. This is a market share that a truly comprehensive rail program can penetrate with a first world regional level and quality of service in the I-10 corridor, and LA regional rail market.
We have had several problems with complete shutdowns of I-10 where there was no parallel arterial networks, through places like Cabazon.,00 This lack of redundancy in this corridor is problematic for adjacent cities and will only get worse.... There will be close to 500 thousand folks down in that area, and only one freeway, there will be only one freeway, and it will really suck to get to Palm Springs.
Intercity service has been proposed, including, trips through to Santa Barbara, and or Lancaster, as part of an expanded LOSSAN system. Now do you understand why RCTC has joined and is supporting LOSSAN... go figure? This is also an interesting concept which would be part of a truly "regional: intercity and commute network, fully integrated regional rail passenger system in Sou Cal, with variations of express and "local" passenger service allowing vastly improved regional rail connectivity, with a fully integrated fare and operating structure.
Stations for both "local" (commute) and intercity would be at Indio, 1000 Palms, "old" North Palm Springs, Cabazon, Fanning, Beaumont, Loma Linda, with a passenger wye and flyover at Colton, to allow for movements both to Riverside, and San Bernardino. A third track would be needed on the entire line from Myoma to old Colton, with passenger "flyovers, to avoid any freight interference on the "approach" to Colton and West Colton. A fourth westbound climbing track to Dry Camp from 1000 Palms would also be advisable, as well.
Total costs for Indio service, probably a minimum of about 500-600 million in track and flyovers, and probably another 100 million in stations and parking. Should we do this? Probably, but right now, a line from Chowchilla to Wasco at 200 mph is a higher priority in CA......?
I also agree about personal and tourism travel market in the I-10 interurban corridor. This is a market share that a truly comprehensive rail program can penetrate with a first world regional level and quality of service in the I-10 corridor, and LA regional rail market.
We have had several problems with complete shutdowns of I-10 where there was no parallel arterial networks, through places like Cabazon.,00 This lack of redundancy in this corridor is problematic for adjacent cities and will only get worse.... There will be close to 500 thousand folks down in that area, and only one freeway, there will be only one freeway, and it will really suck to get to Palm Springs.
Intercity service has been proposed, including, trips through to Santa Barbara, and or Lancaster, as part of an expanded LOSSAN system. Now do you understand why RCTC has joined and is supporting LOSSAN... go figure? This is also an interesting concept which would be part of a truly "regional: intercity and commute network, fully integrated regional rail passenger system in Sou Cal, with variations of express and "local" passenger service allowing vastly improved regional rail connectivity, with a fully integrated fare and operating structure.
Stations for both "local" (commute) and intercity would be at Indio, 1000 Palms, "old" North Palm Springs, Cabazon, Fanning, Beaumont, Loma Linda, with a passenger wye and flyover at Colton, to allow for movements both to Riverside, and San Bernardino. A third track would be needed on the entire line from Myoma to old Colton, with passenger "flyovers, to avoid any freight interference on the "approach" to Colton and West Colton. A fourth westbound climbing track to Dry Camp from 1000 Palms would also be advisable, as well.
Total costs for Indio service, probably a minimum of about 500-600 million in track and flyovers, and probably another 100 million in stations and parking. Should we do this? Probably, but right now, a line from Chowchilla to Wasco at 200 mph is a higher priority in CA......?
