The Vision:
We have the opportunity of a lifetime to create something special. We have an opportunity to create a safe and serene place for people to travel across the region and through our neighborhoods. Our vision is to build a multi-purpose trail linking cities from Claremont to Rialto along the famous Pacific Electric Railway line. To create a trail opportunity for users to commute to work, experience nature and enjoy exercise while exploring the history and culture of the area.
The Pacific Electric Trail corridor is an opportunity that comes rarely to a region or city. Imagine being able to ride a bicycle from Claremont to Rialto along a bike path separated from automobiles. Within the next few years, this dream will become a reality. The City of Rancho Cucamonga, acting as the lead agency, has joined together with the San Bernardino Associated Governments (SANBAG) and surrounding cities, to develop a multi-purpose trail that would link the cities of Claremont, Montclair, Upland, Rancho Cucamonga, Fontana and Rialto. The rail trail would also connect to a 6.9-mile rail trail project being planned from Claremont to San Dimas. This is our vision, and you can help make it a reality.
"Rail trails are good for our community, our health, our economy, and our environment."
The purpose of the trail is to provide recreational opportunities for cyclists, pedestrians, runners and equestrians. Trail users would enjoy exercise, convenient access to jobs, public facilities and shopping, while exploring the history and culture of the area. The San Bernardino Associated Governments, the City of Rancho Cucamonga and the participating cities have exercised great vision to designate this corridor for trail use. This will allow the cities to create a beautiful common area that can be shared by commuters, pedestrians, cyclists, equestrians, and other non-motorized transportation. A beautiful link across the Pomona Valley. You can help change our region.
What is a rail trail?
Rail trails are multi-purpose public paths created from abandoned railroad corridors, although in some cases active rail lines may still exist. There are over 13,150 miles of rail trails in 48 states within the United States. Flat or following a gentle grade, they are ideal for many uses, such as bicycling, walking, horseback riding, in-line skating, wheelchair recreation, hiking. Rail trails are also extremely popular as an alternative to cars by providing opportunity to walk or ride to work, school, shopping.
The Rails-to-Trails Conservancy is a national non-profit public charity with more than 65,000 members. The purpose of Rails-to-Trails Conservancy is to enrich America's communities and countryside by creating a nationwide network of public trails along rail line corridors.
To find rail trails in your area, visit TrailLink.com
Where is the rail trail?
The rail trail follows the Southern Pacific railroad corridor which travels east-west through this valley. The 21-mile long rail trail would begin in downtown Claremont and end in downtown Rialto. In recent years, rail service has been discontinued and the tracks removed along most of the corridor; however, the potential exists that rail service could be re-established. Click here for map of trail.
What is Pacific Electric?
The Pacific Electric Railway was once the world’s largest interurban and street railway system, extending from Los Angeles to its outlying regions. The building of the railway through the Inland Empire was crucial to the development of the area, particularly to support the agricultural industry that fueled the local economy.
What are the benefits of rail trails?
How will the Pacific Electric Trail be funded?
There are many sources of federal and state funds for trails. The participating cities, in conjunction with the regional transportation authority, will be aggressively pursuing grants to build the rail trail. Funding may also come from corporate and private donations. Across America, many non-profit organizations have been started by citizens to help raise funds to build and maintain rail trails in their community.
Latest News
The first step towards fulfilling the dream of an intercity trail was the preparation and adoption of a master plan. This master plan is the basis for grant applications to fund the Pacific Electric Trail project. The master plan document describes existing trail conditions, analyzes trail user facility needs, and includes drawings of what the finished trail will look like. Boyle Engineering Corporation, an expert in rails-to-trails projects, was selected as the consultant to prepare the master plan. Many groups provided inputs on the master plan, including property owners, and recreational interest groups (walking/hiking clubs, equestrian clubs, bicycling clubs). The Rancho Cucamonga City Council approved the master plan on December 6, 2000.
Like the construction of the Foothill Freeway, implementation of such a large scale trail project requires the cooperation of many cities, San Bernardino Associated Governments (SANBAG) and other agencies. The formation of a Joints Powers Agreement has been recommended to provide a cooperative structure for implementation. By working together, the participating cities can pursure funding and better meet the needs of trail users.
Portions of the trail have been completed in the cities of Upland, Rancho Cucamonga and Fontana. Additional segments are being designed and will be built when funding is available. Rancho Cucamonga has several segments that will be built over the next two years.
Construction Update
Construction Update
Phase I - Haven to 1200' east of Etiwanda Avenue: On October 4, 2006, the City Council approved construction plans and authorized the advertising of the “Notice Inviting Bids” from contractors. Anticipate awarding contract December20‘06. Start construction January 2007 with an eight month construction period. Two short segments of the trail have been constructed in Rancho Cucamonga along Milliken Avenue and Day Creek Boulevard in conjunction with the construction of Central Park Phase I and Day Creek Fire Station, respectively. Both of these are "re-routes" to new signalized crossings of these busy streets. City has obtained $5.5 million in federal grant funds. Estimated cost: $7,140,000. COMPLETED 2007
Phase II - Amethyst to Archibald: On November 15, 2006, the City Council approved construction plans and authorized the advertising of the “Notice Inviting Bids” from contractors. Anticipate awarding contract December ‘06. Start construction January ’07 with a five month construction period. City has obtained $1.2 million in federal grant funds. Estimated cost: $3.1 million including Phase III. COMPLETED 2007
Phase III - Archibald to Haven: On November 15, 2006, the City Council approved construction plans and authorized the advertising of the “Notice Inviting Bids” from contractors. Award contract December ’06, 2006. Start construction January ’07 with a five month construction period. City has obtained $954,900 in Pedestrian Grant Article 3 funds. Est. Cost: $3.1 million including Phase II. COMPLETED 2007
Phase IV - Grove to Amethyst: City to start construction in late summer 2009 on widening of Foothill Boulevard, which eventually will include installing a new trail bridge to replace the existing rail bridge, where Pacific Electric Inland Empire Trail crosses Foothill Boulevard. UNDER DESIGN - ESTIMATED CONSTRUCTION START SUMMER 2009.
Phase V - 1200' east of Etiwanda Avenue to Interstate 15 Freeway: City has obtained $586,000 in state Bicycle Transportation Account grant funds. Anticipate construction starting in August 2007 with a 3-month construction period. COMPLETED 2009
A community based organization, Friends of the Pacific Electric Inland Empire Trail, has being formed to promote, support, and enhance the building of the Pacific Electric Trail. For further information about upcoming meetings, please contact via email at webmaster@pacificelectrictrail.org or visit their website at www.pacificelectrictrail.org.
Where can I get more information?
For more information, please contact the Planning Department at (909) 477-2750.
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