Pass Area Traffic Jams Caused By Stopped Trains: Feds Offer Help

BANNING, CA — A proposed project designed to prevent stopped/stalled trains from jamming motor vehicle traffic in the Pass Area will receive federal assistance, it was announced Monday.

The Hargrave Grade Separation Planning Project in Banning will see up to $2.8 million as part of the federal Bipartisan Infrastructure Law. The money will be used for preliminary engineering, stakeholder engagement and environmental review, according to federal officials.

The federal funding is part of a $570 million "Railroad Crossing Elimination Program" for 63 projects in 32 states to improve highway-rail and pathway-rail safety. In total, seven California projects received funding.

The Hargrave project aims to improve safety for motorists and pedestrians, and address congestion caused by train traffic along Hargrave Street, which crosses under the elevated Interstate 10 corridor along Union Pacific Railroad tracks, according to an announcement from the office of Rep. Raul Ruiz (D-Coachella Valley).

The Hargrave project would separate motor vehicle traffic from the railroad crossing.

During a June 2022 incident, a Union Pacific train blocked three intersections in Beaumont for more than six hours, resulting in severe traffic congestion and hazardous conditions for Pass Area drivers. Following the incident, Ruiz wrote to U.S. Department of Transportation Secretary Pete Buttigieg advocating for an investment in the Hargrave Grade Separation Planning Project.

“The safety of my constituents is my top priority,” Ruiz said in a released statement Monday. “Last year’s Union Pacific train stoppage in Beaumont caused severe delays for commuters and first responders and demonstrated a serious need for upgrades to Pass Area infrastructure. I am excited to help deliver this funding from the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law to Banning that will make our roads safer for local families, reduce congestion for commuters, and prevent massive traffic blockages caused by train traffic in the Pass Area.”

Train delays, albeit less significant, occurred in the Pass Area after the June incident, impacting traffic around the region.

"The Hargrave Grade Separation project is a critical piece of [Banning's] infrastructure needs,” said Banning City Manager Doug Schulze. “Completion of this project will not only improve traffic congestion and emergency response in Banning but throughout the Pass Area. We are grateful for Congressman Ruiz’s continued support and advocacy for our community public safety needs.”

The city of Banning and the Western Riverside Council of Governments are providing a 35 percent non-federal match to the BIL award, according to federal documents.

A second Riverside County project also received funding as part of the Railroad Crossing Elimination Program. Up to $15 million will go toward the Third Street Grade Separation Project in Riverside. The proposed project will support construction activities to build a grade separation at Third Street and the BNSF mainline. The project involves building a four-lane underpass while three mainline BNSF tracks will be realigned to improve train speeds. The BNSF mainline carries 86 trains daily (66 freight and 20 passenger).