RIVERSIDE, Calif. (KESQ) - The Riverside County Transportation Commission has awarded $80 million to HDR Engineering to conduct an environmental study for the planned Coachella Valley Rail Project, officials announced. In partnership with the Federal Railroad Administration and the California Department of Transportation, the proposed daily passenger rail service will travel from Los Angeles to the Coachella Valley. "CV Rail is a vital transportation investment that will connect Riverside County -- particularly the San Gorgonio Pass and Coachella Valley -- with the rest of Southern California through daily passenger rail service. The Tier 2 environmental review will proceed in two phases: complete CEQA review, preliminary engineering and station studies and then conducting NEPA review and 30% design. The rail service project will likely exceed $1.5 billion and service could begin by 2040 depending on funding, final design and construction.