Beaumont breaks ground on Second Street extension with $1 million in federal funding

City of Beaumont officials, joined by U.S. Rep. Raul Ruiz and regional dignitaries, held a ground‑breaking ceremony for the Second Street extension in Beaumont and announced $1,000,000 in federal support for the project.

The project, officials said at the ceremony, is intended to give drivers an alternative to Highland Springs Avenue, reduce congestion during peak hours, improve drainage to reduce flooding, and expand access that could support future retail and economic development. "When I said that the people of Banning and Beaumont in the pass area are important to me, I meant it," Rep. Raul Ruiz said, describing the funding as part of his office's continued support for local infrastructure.

City remarks noted the Second Street extension follows previous work on Pennsylvania Avenue and is one element in a broader strategy that officials said also includes a future grade separation to address long Union Pacific train stoppages. Ruiz highlighted emergency‑response benefits tied to that broader plan, saying the extension and future grade separation aim to prevent train stoppages from delaying first responders. The congressman also said the project will help with drainage during heavy rains and increase the city's ability to attract businesses that expand the local tax base.

Mayor Mylene, speaking at the ceremony, thanked the city council, public works staff, local businesses and residents for their support and patience during construction and closed the event by inviting officials to begin the ceremonial digging. Several regional elected officials and civic representatives were acknowledged as attending, including representatives for state and county offices and local municipal leaders.

The event was ceremonial: no formal council vote or ordinance was recorded during the ground‑breaking. Officials described the Second Street extension as a funded construction step, while noting that larger elements mentioned at the ceremony, notably the grade‑separation work tied to Union Pacific, will require additional planning, funding and coordination with external parties.

Details provided at the ceremony included the $1,000,000 federal allocation and remarks that Highland Springs Avenue experiences heavy traffic between roughly 10 a.m. and 6 p.m. Officials said the project will aim to improve traffic flow and drainage but did not provide a construction timetable, final budget, or contract award details at the event.