RCTC awards Paris South Metrolink station construction contract; approves short‑range transit plan amendment

The Riverside County Transportation Commission on Nov. 4 approved a construction agreement with Granite Construction Company for the Paris South Metrolink station and layover facility expansion and approved an amendment to the FY 2025‑26 short‑range transit plan to allocate additional State Transit Assistance (STA) funds.

John Terrascio, senior capital projects manager for RCTC, told the committee the project will expand the existing passenger platform to full length, construct a second platform and associated track, and add a fourth track at the layover facility. The improvements are intended to increase train storage capacity so more trains can start service each day, enabling higher frequencies, he said.

Staff said the final design was completed in 2025 and an invitation for bids was issued Aug. 28, 2025. Five bids were received and publicly opened on Sept. 24, 2025; Granite Construction was the lowest responsive and responsible bidder with a bid within 1.8% of the engineer’s estimate. Staff recommended awarding the contract and including a project contingency of just over $2.9 million. The total contract not‑to‑exceed amount stated in the presentation was about $27.3 million.

Funding for the construction phase was reported as roughly $25 million already allocated (about $19 million TRSIP, $4 million Measure A, $2 million STA). To fully fund construction, staff recommended allocating an additional $2.3 million in STA funds through an amendment to the FY 2025‑26 short range transit plan; a commissioner’s motion at the meeting referenced an additional $2,351,000 in funds when moving the item. The committee approved the contract award and the transit plan amendment by roll call vote.

During discussion a commissioner asked whether ridership at the station met projections. A staff response noted ridership remained below earlier projections and that promotional programs, first‑time rider incentives for Riverside County residents and increased service frequency—enabled by additional layover capacity—are part of efforts to boost ridership. One commissioner suggested improved bus connections between Hemet and the Paris South station and possible use of the San Jacinto line to feed the station.

The committee authorized the chair or executive director to execute the construction agreement and delegated authority to the executive director or designee to approve contingency work as required. Staff said, subject to procurement and contracting timelines, a limited notice to proceed would be issued in late 2025 to procure long‑lead items, construction would begin in early 2026 and the improvements are expected to open to the public in 2028.