New Metrolink line hopes to ease I-215 traffic in Riverside County

PERRIS, Calif. (KABC) -- A dedication ceremony for the new Metrolink commuter rail extension to Perris Valley was held on Friday.

The 24-mile extension runs from Riverside to Perris and is expected to reduce traffic congestion along Interstate 215.

The extension cost $250 million, but officials believe it will be money well spent.

"Extending Metrolink from Riverside to Perris will make it much easier for people to get to jobs and businesses here and throughout the region," Therese McMillan with the Federal Transit Administration said.

The 91 Line runs parallel to the 91 Freeway and includes two new stations in Perris, one in Moreno Valley and a fourth in Riverside.

After years of lobbying and dealing with lawsuits, Metrolink and the Riverside County Transportation Commission raised $248 million at the local, state and federal levels to pay for the project.

Now the train ride from Perris to Union Station in Downtown Los Angeles will be about 90 minutes.

There are still some finishing touches that need to be done at the stations, but train service is set to begin in February of 2016.