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EL MONTE SIDING EXTENSION PROJECT:
SAN BERNARDINO LINE

The Southern California Regional Rail Authority (Metrolink) has plans to upgrade its regional passenger rail service along the San Bernardino Line through the El Monte Siding Extension Project (Project). The Project is a part of the Southern California Optimized Rail Expansion (SCORE) capital plan to upgrade the Metrolink system before the Los Angeles 2028 Summer Olympic and Paralympic Games.

The Project will be constructed within Metrolink’s right-of-way and includes:

  • Segment 1: removes existing pedestrian at-grade crossing and moves the platform access closer to Tyler Avenue and includes:
    • Adding safety-related improvements (new Metrolink standard pedestrian crossing with delineators, active warning devices, pedestrian gates, emergency swing gates, and channelizing railing)
    • Safety-related improvements at Tyler Avenue at-grade crossing
    • Extending the siding track east up to the Peck Road bridge
    • Widening the Ramona Blvd bridge undercrossing
  • Segment 2: widens the Peck Road bridge undercrossing and extends the siding track east up to the I-10 freeway overcrossing

Project Map

El Monte Improvements map

Project Timeline

El Monte Project Timeline

CHECK OUT THE BENEFITS:

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More service: when combined with other SCORE projects, this Project will enable more frequent service. In the future, passengers can expect train service every 30 minutes in each direction.

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Improved service reliability: trains will no longer have to wait for one another to pass, improving on-time performance.

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The new platform access with an upgraded, protected crossing will create a more convenient and safer walkway for pedestrians.

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Enhanced safety: improved at-grade crossings will facilitate Quiet Zone ready corridors that will also minimize train horn blowing.

 

Frequently Asked Questions

The Project will upgrade Metrolink's current regional passenger rail service along the existing San Bernardino Line. Improvements at the El Monte Station will eliminate the existing pedestrian at-grade crossing and re-route the platform access closer to Tyler Avenue with safety improvements. To provide more operational flexibility in the schedule, the existing siding will be extended east of Metrolink’s El Monte Station to allow trains to pass each other over a longer section of track. The work also includes sidewalk improvements, emergency swing gates, pedestrian gates, warning signals, walkway delineators and new signage at Tyler Avenue. The existing turnout will be removed, the existing mainline track will be shifted, and new siding track will be installed. The phased improvements will include two bridge widenings at Ramona Boulevard and Peck Road to support the additional siding track.

Quiet Zones ease noise in the community by limiting where and when trains are required to blow their horns. A city is responsible to apply for Quiet Zones, which are a Federal designation, once at-grade improvements are made. Metrolink is proposing to build the safety improvements necessary to make two crossings Quiet Zone ready.

Improvements at El Monte Station will increase train capacity and enable more frequent train service at least every 30 minutes in either direction. The station improvements included with the track upgrades will allow Metrolink to provide passengers with more reliable and safer service. Eliminating the existing pedestrian grade crossing, and re-routing platform access via the existing sidewalk along Tyler Avenue will provide riders a more convenient and safer access to the platform.

The El Monte Siding Extension Project will generate jobs and business opportunities, provide environmental benefits, and increase the frequency and reliability of Metrolink service. The new pedestrian crossings and siding extension will enhance safety for pedestrians, vehicles, and trains. Each year, an increase in commuter rail ridership in Los Angeles County will generate new pedestrians and bicyclists, take vehicles off the road, and reduce congestion and emissions, long term, for a better environment. The increased movement in everyday lives will improve the populations overall health and wellness while providing access to essential transportation.

The Los Angeles Economic Development Corporation (LAEDC) was commissioned to produce a study assessing the impact of the construction investment of the SCORE program. The benefits from SCORE will make the region increasingly attractive for the millions projected to visit SoCal in 2028 and create regional prosperity in the decades to come. Los Angeles County residents can expect to see 45,700 new jobs and $9.801 billion in gross regional product by 2028. By 2050, there will be 704,900 new jobs and $356 billion in economic activity.

Environmental review began in the spring of 2020 and is expected to be complete spring 2022. Design reviews began in the winter 2020 and expected completion is spring of 2022. Construction is scheduled to begin summer of 2023, with completion expected in the summer of 2025.

For more information, please visit metrolinktrains.com/score