Rep. Pete Aguilar, center, presents a $2 million check to the San Bernardino County Transportation Authority for the Highland–Redlands Regional Connector project during an April 7 event. (Courtesy photo)
REDLANDS, Calif. — A long-anticipated project aimed at improving safety for Citrus Valley High School students traveling between Highland and Redlands received a $2 million boost this week from the federal government.
Rep. Pete Aguilar, D-Calif., announced he secured the funding for the San Bernardino County Transportation Authority’s Highland–Redlands Regional Connector project, which will create a protected route for pedestrians and cyclists between the two cities.
The project will construct more than five miles of protected bike and pedestrian pathways along Orange Street, including a crossing over the Santa Ana River. Officials say the improvements are designed to address longstanding safety concerns for students commuting between Highland and Citrus Valley High School but who lack a reliable active transportation route.
“I often think of those Citrus Valley High School students who live in Highland and go to school in Redlands, of commuters and folks who use active transportation,” Aguilar said during an April 7 press conference. “They deserve to get home at the end of each day, and that’s exactly what this project does — it creates dedicated paths so they can have safer, healthier ways to travel.”
Once complete, the connector is expected to benefit thousands of residents by reducing traffic congestion and providing a safe, nonmotorized travel option linking neighborhoods to schools, job centers and regional trails.
Aguilar said the investment will improve infrastructure for pedestrians and cyclists while expanding access for students, workers and families traveling between Redlands and Highland.
Infrastructure projects like this one “are crucial to ensuring the health, connectivity and mobility of people in our region,” Aguilar said in a statement Wednesday. “I’ll keep working in Congress to deliver federal investments in our infrastructure that help improve the quality of life for families here in the Inland Empire.”
Redlands Mayor Mario Saucedo said the project will strengthen regional connections between the two cities.
“It’s meaningful because it’s a regional project that connects Redlands to Highland,” Saucedo said after the event. “This pedestrian and bicycle lane will be a real plus for alternative transportation and help those students that live in Highland… get over here to Citrus Valley High School.”
Saucedo also expressed the city's gratitude for the funding.
“This is just another example of our congressman bringing funding back to the city and to the county,” Saucedo said. “We’re really grateful… this is a project that will now be completed with the additional $2 million.”
SBCTA President Rick Denison said the project reflects the impact of collaboration across local and federal partners.
“This project represents what happens when local commitment and federal partnership come together,” Denison said. “We are grateful for the Congressman’s leadership and look forward to continuing to deliver projects that improve mobility and quality of life for the residents of San Bernardino County.”
The funding is part of a broader federal appropriations package passed in January 2026, which included $7.4 million in community project funding grants for seven projects across California’s 33rd Congressional District.
The Highland–Redlands Connector Project is part of SBCTA’s ongoing effort to expand safe, multimodal transportation options across San Bernardino County, with a focus on improving access, reducing barriers between communities and supporting safer routes for students and residents.
A former broadcast news producer, Stephanie launched CFR in 2023. Originally from Michigan, she’s made Redlands home with her husband and three kids. When she’s not reporting, she’s problem-solving at the climbing gym or trying new local restaurants.
