The Federal Transit Administration (FTA) announced $75 million in federal grant funds to extend the Metrolink 91 commuter rail line from Riverside to Perris, Calif.

The Metrolink 91 extension to Perris is expected to draw 4,300 riders daily, reducing traffic on I-215 and helping area commuters who have some of the longest commutes in Southern California. Deputy Federal Transit Administrator Therese McMillan participated in a signing ceremony to commit the funds with U.S. Representatives Mark Takano and Ken Calvert, Perris City Mayor Daryl Busch, and other state and local officials.

The 24-mile Perris Valley Line will serve the communities of Alessandro, Moreno Valley and Perris and improve transit options for commuters east and south of downtown Riverside. It includes the construction of four new stations along the route with parking at Riverside Hunter Park, Moreno Valley/March Field, Perris and South Perris. Metrolink serves more than 44,000 riders on weekdays, over three-quarters of whom commuted by car before adopting transit, according to the Southern California Regional Rail Authority.

“The Federal Transit Administration is proud to invest in the Metrolink extension to Perris Valley, which is an important part of the region’s commitment to expand and modernize public transportation for hard-working families,” said McMillan. “We are committed to investing in more good projects like this one, which help regional economies to grow and compete in the 21st century.”

FTA is committing $75 million in funding to the Riverside County Transportation Commission through FTA’s Small Starts Capital Investment grant program. FTA’s Small Starts grant comprises approximately 30 percent of the project’s total cost of $248 million.

The project also received approximately $63 million in other funds from the U.S. Department of Transportation. The remaining cost is provided by state and local sources.

The extension is expected to be completed by December 2015.