Amtrak station plans chug ahead in Loma Linda

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Amtrak station plans chug ahead in Loma Linda

The city of Loma Linda, Calif., has agreed to move forward with the next phase of a building an Amtrak train station in town, local newspapers report. The council agreed in concept this week to locate a train platform on the north end of Benton Street.

Amtrak has told the city it would make economic sense for its trains to stop in Loma Linda.

City staff members researched six possible spots for a platform along the Union Pacific tracks. Benton Street was the preferred alternative because it is within walking distance of the Jerry L. Pettis Memorial Veterans Medical Center. It is also near Loma Linda University and is close to bus routes, officials said. Another benefit is it is next to a temporary university parking lot that could be used by Amtrak passengers. There is also adequate street parking available in the area, said Jarb Thaipejr, the city's public works director.

Except for Councilman Ovidiu Popescu, the council was in favor of going on to the next step of the project. The city will now work with Amtrak and Union Pacific officials to get their concurrence on the location.

In a presentation to the council, Thaipejr said the minimum cost for a train platform would be about $100,000. It would include a 150-foot-long by 20-foot-wide concrete platform, lighting, shelter, signs, trash cans, benches and security cameras. Adding amenities such as restrooms, another parking lot, driveways, more signs and lights would raise the cost to about $300,000, Thaipejr said.

The cost does not include how much UP might charge the city for track improvements or a train signal.

The city has not committed any funds for the project.

Based on what has happened in other cities, Popescu said Amtrak might require Loma Linda to build a platform that is 1,000 feet long, which could increase the price tag to more than $1 million. Popescu also questioned if enough riders would use the train to justify the cost.

Amtrak trains pass through Loma Linda three times a week on the "Sunset Limited" line that goes from New Orleans to Los Angeles. The nearest stops are in Palm Springs to the east and Ontario and Pomona to the west.

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