Construction to start soon on Metrolink’s Riverside – Downtown Station Layover facility

Construction to expand Metrolink’s train layover facility at the Riverside-Downtown Station will start mid-March by the Riverside County Transportation Commission.

The project will allow more trains to be housed at the station at the end of each night shift, which will allow for more efficient passenger rail service.

Construction activities will include track improvements north of the train platform, new drainage facilities, new electrical systems, lighting fixtures, security fencing, access gates, utility relocations and water and sewer connections.

The improvements will allow seven trains to be housed overnight at the station; currently five trains are stored there each night. The work also will increase flexibility of the order that trains leave the station each morning and enable light maintenance work and fueling to be performed at the Riverside Station, rather than at other maintenance facilities.

Work will occur on the west side of station near Vine Street and is expected to last through late 2020. The station will remain active during construction and Metrolink service will continue to start on weekdays at 4:35 a.m. The city of Riverside Noise Ordinance allows construction between 7:00 a.m. and 7:00 p.m., Monday through Friday, and between 8:00 a.m. and 5:00 p.m. on Saturday. No construction activity is scheduled on Sundays or federal holidays.

Some demolition work will be required during construction, which will generate noise.