Metrolink wraps up extension to downtown San Bernardino

Metrolink yesterday marked the completion of a 1-mile extension to downtown San Bernardino, California.

The commuter railroad's San Bernardino and Inland Empire/Orange County lines have been extended from their terminus at the San Bernardino Santa Fe Depot to the recently finished San Bernardino Transit Center.

Trains will begin rolling on the extension on Dec. 16, San Bernardino County Transportation Authority (SBCTA) officials said in a press release.

The new center will serve as a multimodal hub that links several Omnitrans local routes, the sbX Green Line bus rapid transit route and other transportation options.

As part of the extension, Metrolink built a new pedestrian overpass at the Santa Fe Depot and made grade-crossing improvements. SBCTA and Metrolink kicked off the $123 million project in 2014. The extension was funded by federal, state and local sources.

In addition to providing more transit options for residents, the project paves the way for the proposed 9-mile "Arrow" commuter-rail line to Redlands, California, said SBCTA Board President Alan Wapner. The Arrow line would run from the San Bernardino Transit Center to the University of Redlands.