Voice of the People: The Truth about the Highgrove Metrolink StationThe $75,000,000 Federal Grant should be withheld until a

Thousands of Metrolink trains have passed through Highgrove since July 15, 2006, when commuter train service increased from 5 to 7 days a week between San Bernardino and Riverside. And for 12 years, both sides of the county line have supported a Metrolink stop at Highgrove. The Riverside County Transportation Commission (RCTC) spent over $16 million to buy two pieces of vacant land that are only one mile apart! RCTC bought 17.22 acres at Highgrove to build a track to connect the Perris Valley Line track to the BNSF main line. Then RCTC bought 9.75 acres one mile away at Marlborough Ave. for a total of $16,771,000. But only one is needed. RCTC’s Highgrove property could be used to connect the two railroads AND a Metrolink station. Deceptive Procedure: RCTC was required to pay $8,625,000 at Highgrove but are only charging 38% of the actual cost to the Perris Valley Line in order to qualify for a $75 million Federal Grant. They claim the remaining 62% of their property, or $5,347,500, is “an uneconomic remnant." But RCTC’s “uneconomic remnant” is the same Highgrove property where the public has asked for a Metrolink stop for the last 12 years! The Highgrove Metrolink location is perfect and will serve commuters in both Riverside and San Bernardino counties by using existing Metrolink trains that now pass through Colton, Grand Terrace and Highgrove 7 days a week. The Colton Flyover will allow more future commuter trains between San Bernardino and Riverside but future commuters will not be able to get between Marlborough Ave. and San Bernardino. A savings of $19,145,310 can be made if Marlborough Ave. was sold and the Highgrove property was used for the curved track AND the station. The above figures can be verified by going to: www.highgrovehappenings.net. Click on Metrolink and “RCTC Letters” to show the actual RCTC letters and the costs involved. PLEASE E-MAIL THE FEDERAL TRANSPORTATION ADMINISTRATION at: leslie.rogers@dot.gov and: peter.rogoff@dot.gov CONGRESSMAN GARY MILLER can be reached at: sarah.benoit@mail.house.gov SENATORS FEINSTEIN AND BOXER can be reached by just typing in their names. For more information please call 951-683-4994