The following article appeared in the Inland Valley Daily Bulletin on February 5, 2014.

SanBAG gives Gold Line equal priority – Inland Valley Daily Bulletin

By Liset Marquez

February 5, 2014

The San Bernardino Associated Government’s board of directors has agreed to give equal priority to its future rail projects.

This comes after a decision that would have given a low priority to the Gold Line extension to Montclair – postponing funding for several years – was criticized by local area transportation officials.

The board on Wednesday decided not to amend the motion on SanBAG’s rail projects, agreeing to give equal priority to all three items.

It also directed its Commuter Rail and Transit subcommittee to review a proposal from Montclair for $2 million in funding toward the Gold Line. The subcommittee, which will meet Feb. 13, will make its recommendation to the board at its next meeting in March, said Jane Dreher, spokeswoman for SanBAG.

Last month, the Commuter Rail and Transit subcommittee recommended to give the Redlands Passenger Rail Project priority.

Second on the list, the Metrolink San Bernardino Line Capacity Expansion, would add double tracks in portions of Los Angeles and San Bernardino counties. The plan would be to add tracks near the Upland-Claremont area and then another segment in Fontana near Rancho Cucamonga,

The move would postpone funding to Gold Line-related projects at least until 2016 when additional funds could become available.