Recently, RCTC and OCTA in partnership with the Foothill Eastern Transportation Corridor Agency (TCA) completed an 18-month study looking at a wide variety of improvements to relieve congestion and improve the drive between Riverside and Orange counties.  The study resulted in a number of recommendations which included continued study of a new corridor linking the two counties.  One of the first steps to continued study of the new corridor is to conduct geotechnical studies. 

In June 2006, RCTC, OCTA and TCA joined together again and formed the Riverside Orange Corridor Authority (ROCA) to develop and manage geotechnical studies regarding a proposed transportation and utility corridor linking Riverside and Orange Counties.

ROCA has been formed to ensure that the needed geotechnical work is completed as quickly as possible and an action plan has been adopted to begin geological testing in early 2007.  In addition, the United States Congress has authorized more than $15 million for the overall highway project.  A small percentage of the federal funding will be used for the geological studies.

The goal of building a new highway corridor between the two counties was one of three major recommendations that were advanced at the conclusion of the 18-month Major Investment Study (MIS) Additional recommendations include improvements to State Route 91, a new parallel corridor built within the State Route 91 right-of-way and better use of the existing transportation system that would include additional Metrolink and express bus service.  (Click here for more information on the Riverside County – Orange County MIS.) 

Many of these recommendations are already being implemented; however the development of a new highway between Riverside and Orange Counties faces a number of challenges due to its location.  Most alignments for a new corridor involve the Santa Ana Mountains, Cleveland National Forest, and an earthquake fault which means that any facility will require significant tunneling.

Riverside Orange Corridor Authority (ROCA) Board Member Roster

Jeff Miller, Chair, City of Corona

John Tavaglione, County of Riverside

Steve Adams, City of Riverside

Alternates:

Bob Magee, City of Lake Elsinore

Bob Buster, County of Riverside

OCTA - ROCA Board Members

Carolyn Cavecche, Vice Chair, City of Orange

Director Richard Dixon, City of Lake Forest

Director Bill Campbell (also represents TCA), County of Orange

TCA - ROCA Board Members

Jim Thor, City of Rancho Santa Margarita

Peter Herzog, City of Lake Forest

Alternate:

Ex-Officio - ROCA Board Members

Michael Perovich, District Director, Caltrans District 8

Cindy Quon, District Director, Caltrans District 12

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