For City Council Meeting May 26, 2026
TO: Honorable Mayor and City Council
APPROVAL: Tanya Williams, City Manager
FROM: Yazdan Emrani, P.E., Director of Public Works
Title
Request City Council to: (1) Authorize the Submission of a Railroad Crossing Elimination (Crossing Safety) Program Grant Application to the Federal Railroad Administration of the U.S. Department of Transportation for the Pacific Electric Trail Extension Project, City Project No. 240801; and (2) Authorize the City Manager or Their Designee to Execute all Related Documents.
Body
RECOMMENDATION
Staff recommends that the City Council:
1) Authorize the submission of a railroad crossing elimination (crossing safety) program grant application to the Federal Railroad Administration of the U.S. Department of Transportation for the Pacific Electric Trail Extension project, City Project No. 240801; and
2) Authorize the City Manager or their designee to execute all related documents.
BACKGROUND
On May 17, 2018, the City of Rialto was awarded an SB1- 2018 Sustainable Communities Grant to conduct a feasibility analysis for the expansion of the City’s Pacific Electric Trail.
On September 8, 2020, the City Council awarded the Professional Service Agreement to Alta Planning + Design for design services for the Pacific Electric (PE) Trail project to extend the PE Trail approximately 1.75 miles, using the former Union Pacific Railroad right-of-way.
On September 22, 2020, City Council awarded a Professional Service Agreement to Alta Planning + Design in the amount of $268,875 for the Pacific Electric Trail Expansion Feasibility Study. The City Council accepted the Pacific Electric Trail Feasibility Study on April 12, 2022.
On May 10, 2022, the City Council authorized the submission of an ATP Cycle 6 Grant Application to Caltrans for the Pacific Electric Trail Extension project. Staff subsequently submitted the application for the ATP funding opportunity in the amount of $7,037,000. The local match proposed for the Pacific Electric Trail Project was $785,000, bringing the total project cost to $7.82 million.
On April 9, 2024, the City Council awarded a Professional Services Agreement with Alta Planning + Design, In., in the amount of $903,838 for Pacific Electric Trail Design Services.
On March 10, 2026, City Council authorized an amendment with Alta Planning + Design to provide a Cultural Resources Assessment required to satisfy National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA) compliance obligations.
The Federal Railroad Administration’s Railroad Crossing Elimination Grant Program intends to fund highway-rail or pathway-rail crossing improvement projects, including, but not limited to, elimination projects that improve the safety and mobility of people and goods.
Eligible projects include:
1) Grade separation or closure, including through the use of a bridge, embankment, tunnel, or a combination thereof.
2) Track relocation.
3) The improvement or installation of protective devices, signals, signs, or other measures to improve safety, provided that such activities are related to a separation or relocation project.
4) Other means to improve the safety and mobility of people and goods at highway-rail grade crossings (including technological solutions).
5) A group of related projects described above that would collectively improve the mobility of people and goods.
6) The planning, environmental review, and design of an eligible project described above.
ANALYSIS/DISCUSSION
The Pacific Electric Trail Extension project is intended to improve active transportation connectivity, enhance public safety, and expand multimodal transportation opportunities throughout the City of Rialto. The trail contains inactive railroad infrastructure that creates safety concerns and limits the continuity of the planned trail alignment.
The Federal Railroad Administration’s Railroad Crossing Elimination Grant Program provides funding for projects that improve safety and mobility at highway-rail and pathway-rail crossings, including projects involving the removal, relocation, closure, or improvement of rail crossing infrastructure. The program prioritizes projects that reduce safety risks, improve accessibility, and enhance connectivity for pedestrians and bicyclists. The City is seeking grant funding to support the removal of burial or proper treatment of inactive railroad rails and ties within the Pacific Electric Trail Extension corridor. Removal or modification of the inactive rail infrastructure would eliminate potential hazards for pedestrians and bicyclists, improve trail accessibility, and prepare the corridor for future trail development and associated improvements.
The Pacific Electric Trail Feasibility Study, accepted by City Council on April 12, 2022, identified the corridor as a key opportunity to expand the City’s active transportation network and improve regional connectivity. Subsequent award of Active Transportation Program Cycle 6 funding further demonstrated the significance of the project and its benefits to the community.
Staff recommends that the City Council authorize the submittal of a Railroad Crossing Elimination Program grant application to the Federal Railroad Administration for the Pacific Electric Trail Extension project. If awarded, grant funds would assist the City in advancing improvements necessary to enhance public safety, support active transportation, and facilitate implementation of the planned trail.
The proposed project supports the City’s goals related to public safety, sustainability, and multimodal transportation by improving conditions for pedestrians and bicyclists while eliminating obsolete railroad infrastructure within the project area.
ENVIRONMENTAL IMPACT
The proposed request is not a “Project” as defined by the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA). Pursuant to Section 15378(a), a “Project” means the whole of an action, which has a potential for resulting in either a direct physical change in the environment, or a reasonably foreseeable indirect physical change in the environment. According to Section 15378(b), a Project does not include: (5) Organizational or administrative activities of governments that will not result in direct or indirect physical changes in the environment.
GENERAL PLAN CONSISTENCY
Approval of this action complies with Guiding Principle 3 in the General Plan:
Our City government will lead by example, and will operate in an open, transparent, and responsive manner that meets the needs of the citizens and is a good place to do business.
Approval of this action also complies with the following General Plan Goals and Policy:
Goal 3-11: Provide community facilities that adequately support established programs, can accommodate future needs, and are accessible to all members of the community.
Goal 3-11.1: Allocate resources for the maintenance and operations of City facilities; explore alternative funding options for maintenance and operational costs of new facilities.
Goal 4-8: Establish and maintain a comprehensive system of pedestrian trails and bicycle routes that provide viable connections throughout the City.
Goal 4-9: Promote Walking.
Policy 4-9.3: Provide pedestrian-friendly and safety improvements, such as crosswalks and pedestrian signals, in all pedestrian activity areas.
LEGAL REVIEW
The City Attorney’s Office has reviewed the staff report.
FINANCIAL IMPACT
Operating Budget Impact
The proposed action has no impact on the Operating Budget.
Capital Improvement Budget Impact
If successful, grant funding will be used for the removal of inactive rail infrastructure, including rails and associated ties. The grant requires a 20% funding match. If awarded, staff would propose to appropriate up to 20% in leveraging funds (using Measure I, Gas Tax, or similar funds) towards the project.
If awarded, staff will present the grant acceptance and fund allocation to the City Council for approval.
Licensing
This action does not require the application of a business license or payment of a Business License tax.