There is nothing like the feeling of the wind in your hair and face while riding a bike or even when you are sprinting the last mile on your run. Making such a ride or run on a dedicated trial is ever better in the Coachella Valley. After 14 years of perseverance, the Coachella Valley proudly celebrated the grand opening of CV Link – a 40-mile pathway connecting communities from Palm Springs to Coachella. Led by the Coachella Valley Association of Governments (CVAG), this multimodal corridor was designed and built for cyclists, pedestrians, and low-speed electric vehicles, offering a safer, scenic alternative to busy roadways.

Construction on the 40-mile corridor began in 2017 and was built mostly along the Whitewater River from Highway 111 and the Chino Wash in North Palm Springs to Airport Boulevard in the City of Coachella. CVAG, RCTC, and numerous partners across the county and the state worked together to bring this multimodal trail to life. Through Measure A, the twice voter-approved half-cent sales tax measure for transportation improvements in Riverside County, RCTC was able to support CV Link, and bring innovative mobility options to Coachella Valley that transform how people move.

The new pathway features a dual-path structure: a broad concrete lane catering to cyclists and low-speed electric vehicles, alongside a narrower decomposed granite trail designed for pedestrians and runners. To enhance safety, accessibility, and enjoyment, the facility features numerous shade structures, water stations, benches, bike racks, wayfinding signs, and solar powered LED lights along the pathway and at access points along each section of CV Link. The new trail will also be able to host future events like walks, races, and marathons.

CV Link marks an important step forward to building a resilient, more interconnected transportation system that provides options to residents in all corners of the County. Over the next 15 years, Riverside County will experience one of the largest population increases in the country. RCTC designed the Traffic Relief Plan – a countywide transportation investment blueprint – to address the transportation needs of our rapidly growing region. The Plan includes projects, such as the transformative Coachella Valley Rail, that will provide residents, commuters, and disadvantaged communities with more travel options.

RCTC congratulates CVAG and project partners on delivering the innovative CV Link and looks forward to continuing the momentum on Coachella Valley Rail, CV Sync, and the extension of CV Link to create a more mobile Coachella Valley and beyond.

Over the last few years, grants for transportation projects have become increasingly competitive as agencies work to address the mobility needs of growing communities. Not only is the grant application process lengthy and complex, but an award is also not guaranteed. Recently, the Riverside County Transportation Commission worked closely with the Riverside Transit Agency, the city of Coachella, and the Coachella Valley Association of Governments (CVAG) to assemble a series of grant applications for the Southern California Association of Governments (SCAG) Regional Early Action Planning (REAP 2.0) grants program.

The following five Riverside County projects are approved for funding through the REAP 2.0 program:

• Riverside Transit Agency GoMicro Microtransit Pilot Program Extension ($2,378,635)
• CVAG Vehicle Miles Traveled Study ($2,005,000)
• Riverside County Transportation Commission Core Capacity Innovative Transit Study ($3,000,000)
• City of Coachella Rail Station Feasibility Study and Integrated Land Use and Transit Network ($2,005,000)
• CVAG (CV) Link Community Connectors Analysis ($1,700,000)

The REAP 2.0 program was open to County Transportation Commissions, such as the RCTC, to apply for a limited amount of funding for projects aimed at reducing congestion, greenhouse gas emissions, and vehicles miles traveled. Through these projects, RCTC is not only working to address issues related to congestion and air pollution, but also addressing the needs of disadvantaged communities and encouraging sustainable development that produces economic and environmental benefits.

As part of the REAP 2.0 program, submissions had to demonstrate that the studies and projects would eventually encourage housing development closer to where people live and work, reducing the need to travel long distances. These grants will accelerate the state’s progress towards housing goals and climate commitments through a strengthened partnership between the state, its regions, and local entities.