City Approves Quiet Zones in Redlands Rail Project, SANBAG Seeks Project Consultants

San Bernardino Associated Governments is seeking consultants to assist with the Rail to Redlands project, which is set to expand rail service on a Redlands branch line. The train line will extend eastward nine miles from San Bernardino to Redlands, within the Redlands corridor, featuring three stops – one on New York Street, one downtown and one at the University of Redlands. According to staff reports from a Feb. 3 Redlands City Council meeting, the project will include the replacement of track and bridges, communications and signals; improvements to 27 grade crossings, some potentially being closed; quiet zones; four new stations; reconfiguration of a maintenance facility; and the acquisition of commuter vehicles and an operator. During this Feb. 3 meeting, the council approved a memorandum of understanding with SANBAG to establish quiet zones along the Redlands corridor, an impact that was identified in the project’s Environmental Impact Statement, which is currently pending FTA approval. Train operators are required by the Federal Railroad Administration to sound their horns at grade crossings to alert their presence, except when approaching implemented quiet zones, staff reports show. But train operators may sound their horns in designated quiet zones during an emergency, according to staff reports. Staff reports said if the agreement was not made between the city and SANBAG, the alternative method for noise mitigation would have been the construction of sound walls throughout the project area. The SANBAG board of directors met the following day, Feb. 4, to discuss the Rail to Redlands Project. As the environmental approval process nears completion, SANBAG is now requesting proposals from final design services and consultants who are interested in assisting with program management services. Full details about the scope of the work needed can be found at http://SANBAG.ca.gov/projects/redlands-transit.html.