The SR-91 freeway serves travel between Riverside County and Orange County and is one of the most congested freeways in Southern California. Everyday, thousands of Riverside and Orange County residents experience commute times of up to 3 hours to get to work and return home. Currently, SR-91 is carrying more than 300,000 vehicles per day and is expected to increase to more than 425,000 vehicles a day by the year 2025.

RCTC and the Orange County Transportation Authority (OCTA) are working together to address congestion on the 91. Through the extension of Measure A, Riverside County’s half-cent transportation sales tax, approximately $430 million is available to improve SR-91 in Riverside County. With the passage of Renewed Measure M, Orange County’s half-cent transportation sales tax, approximately $1.5 billion is available to improve SR-91 in Orange County.

What are we doing now to improve traffic flow?

How are we addressing future demand?

How do the 91 Express Lanes fit in?

What other options are there to driving the SR-91?

What are we doing now to improve traffic flow?

In 2007, RCTC began the environmental clearance process to add as many as three lanes in each direction on State Route 91. The improvements will include:

• One general purpose lane in each direction to be funded by Riverside County’s Measure A, half-cent sales tax program
• A direct flyover connector between the eastbound State Route 91 and northbound State Route 71
• The addition of collector/distributor road systems near the I-15 and Main Street and Corona and the area between State Route 71 and Serfas Club Drive
• The development of two high occupancy toll lanes in each direction (similar to the 91 Express Lanes) between Orange County and I-15 which will also include an improved direct connection from I-15
• Auxiliary lanes to assist with access and merging on throughout State Route 91

Together, RCTC and OCTA will proceed with environmental and preliminary design work and seek sources of funding for the following projects:

• Construct a new eastbound lane between the Foothill/Eastern Toll Road (SR-241) and the Chino Valley Freeway (SR-71). OCTA authorized the use of $2.5 million dollars in Express Lanes toll revenue as seed funding to accelerate preliminary engineering and environmental documentation to get this project moving. When completed this $75 million project will open up a major eastbound traffic chokepoint at the Orange County / Riverside County line. Project completion is anticipated for 2011.
• Add new lanes in each direction on SR-91 between the Corona Freeway (I-15) and the Foothill/Eastern Toll Road (SR-241). Project completion is scheduled for 2015.
• Evaluate a seven-mile reversible lane facility on SR-91 between Orange County/Riverside County line to I-15. Project details are under development.
• Evaluate a new freeway interchange at Fairmont Boulevard connecting to and from the north side of SR-91. Project details are under development.
• Add a fifth general purpose lane in each direction between the Costa Mesa Freeway (SR-55) and SR-241. Conceptual engineering is complete and a future environmental document will refine project details.
• Build a new direct connector between the 91 Express Lanes and SR-241 toll road. Project details are under development.
• Construct a new direct carpool-lane connector between SR-91 and I-15. Project details are under development.
• Provide free tow services through the Freeway Service Patrol program during peak AM and PM commute hours to commuters traveling on the SR-91. This service helps stranded motorists get quickly back on the road and clears incidents or debris to maximize traffic flow and highway safety.
• In addition, Caltrans and RCTC have completed a $26 million project to reconstruct the State Route 91/Green River interchange, including the widening of the bridge over the freeway and enhanced on and off-ramps.

How are we addressing future demand?

RCTC and OCTA are planning for the future through two major efforts:

The 91 Implementation Plan — a series of projects designed to reduce travel time on the 91 over the next decade

Full exploration of all ways to improve the drive between Riverside and Orange counties

The 91 Implementation Plan — a series of projects designed to reduce travel time on the 91 over the next decade

RCTC and OCTA annually update a 91 Implementation Plan. The 91 Implementation Plan details a series of projects that promise to provide a faster, more reliable commute between Riverside and Orange counties.

The proposed transportation improvements have the potential to reduce travel time on SR-91 during the next decade, cutting commute times by more than an hour by 2015 for commuters traveling eastbound between the Costa Mesa Freeway (SR-55) in Orange County and the Corona Freeway (I-15) in Riverside County. Currently, eastbound travel times between the SR-55 and the I-15 average nearly 100 minutes in the afternoon peak hour. By 2011, travel times are expected to decrease by approximately 20 minutes, and could decrease by an additional 60 minutes by 2015.

The package of transportation projects is expected to cost more than $9 billion to build. The plan includes a proposed timeline for improving specific segments of SR-91:

2011:

Open a new eastbound lane on SR-91 between the Foothill Toll Road (SR-241) and the Chino Valley Freeway (SR-71); make safety improvements to the truck scales near Weir Canyon Road; improve Express Bus and Metrolink commuter-rail service

2015:

Add a new lane in each direction on SR-91 between the Corona Freeway (I-15) and the Foothill Toll Road (SR-241); add a seven-mile reversible lane facility on SR-91 from the Orange/Riverside county line to I-15; build a new freeway interchange at Fairmont Boulevard

2020:

Add a fifth general purpose lane in each direction between SR-55 and SR-241; also expand Metrolink commuter-rail service

2030:

Project concepts beyond 2020 include:

• Building a new direct connector between the 91 Express Lanes and the SR-241 toll road
• Constructing a new direct carpool-lane connector between SR-91 and I-15
• Adding a new four-lane elevated highway between SR-241 and I-15
• Adding a new four-lane highway corridor that could include a tunnel from the SR-241/SR-133 interchange in Orange County to I-15 at Cajalco Road in Corona

Many of the above concepts are still undergoing feasibility studies and do not yet have a well-defined timeline for implementation.

Full exploration of all ways to improve the drive between Riverside and Orange counties

OCTA and RCTC in partnership with the Foothill Eastern Transportation Corridor Agency conducted a major investment study (MIS) to look 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. The transportation projects recommended for further study and consideration include:

• Make improvements to SR-91 the immediate priority. Add one new lane in each direction to SR-91, starting with improvements between the Corona Freeway (I-15) and the Foothill Toll Road (SR-241), followed by improvements between SR-241 and the Costa Mesa Freeway (SR-55).
• Encourage more drivers to use the Foothill Toll Road (SR-241) by lowering tolls and adding new lanes as an alternative to widening SR-55. OCTA is working with the Foothill/Eastern Transportation Corridor Agency (TCA) to determine the best way to move more people through the 91 corridor.
• Continue evaluating the costs and impacts of adding a new four- or six-lane elevated highway (viaduct) parallel to SR-91 between I-15 and SR-241 with a condition of not acquiring business and residential property.
• Continue studying the technical feasibility of building a new four- or six-lane highway (Irvine-Corona Expressway), which could include a tunnel between I-15 at Cajalco Road in Riverside County and the intersection of SR-241 and SR-133 in Orange County. RCTC, OCTA and the TCA have executed a joint agreement forming the Riverside Orange Corridor Authority to conduct geotechnical studies evaluating the feasibility of the tunnel with regard to terrain and ground water issues along the conceptual alignment. Click here for more information on ROCA.
• Balance highway improvements with expanded transit service, including additional Metrolink trains, express buses and high-speed or Maglev train service.
• Study and implement operational improvements on Ortega Highway (SR-74) to improve safety.

How do the 91 Express Lanes fit in?

For commuters and everyone else who drives on the SR-91 — January 3, 2003 marked a historic moment. That is when OCTA took public ownership of the 91 Express Lanes from a private firm that had owned and operated them since its inception in 1985. This private ownership had included a restriction on widening the 91 and other improvements that could be seen as competing with the toll lanes.

With OCTA’s purchase of the lanes, public officials from Orange and Riverside counties were able to make decisions on how the toll road is managed. An advisory committee was formed with OCTA and RCTC officials to oversee the SR-91 Freeway corridor and make recommendations for improving transportation between the two counties.

Both agencies appointed five representatives to the committee. Representatives from the Caltrans District offices in Orange County and the Inland Empire, as well as the San Bernardino Associated Governments, have also been appointed as non-voting members. The advisory committee’s main duties are to review and make recommendations on issues such as toll structure, operations, maintenance, the use of toll revenues and improvements along the SR-91 corridor.

One of the first projects made possible due to the efforts of the Advisory Committee and their agencies was the improvement of the westbound commute on SR-91. In 2004, a lane was added between the Riverside County Line and the SR-241 Toll Road in Orange County, while in Riverside County striping changes were made to enhance traffic flow between SR-71 and the county line.

In addition, for the first time since the lanes opened over a decade ago, a major pavement maintenance project took place on the 91 Express Lanes. In addition to extending the life of the pavement, the project made the pavement smoother to drive on and enhanced safety. click here for more information on the 91 Express Lanes or how to sign up for fast track.

What other options are there to driving the SR-91?

RCTC and OCTA are working hard to provide additional options to provide commuters with choices other than driving alone on the 91 freeway.

Rail

Metrolink train service between the Inland Empire and Orange County as well as Los Angeles County, provides commuters with an option to avoid the SR-91. The Inland Empire — Orange County (IEOC) line service provides eight round trips trains per day serving stations in Riverside, Corona, Anaheim, Orange, Santa Ana, Tustin, Irvine, San Juan Capistrano, San Clemente and Oceanside. More than 4,000 passengers per day ride the IEOC Line Monday through Friday. Metrolink also offers an option for commuters traveling from the Inland Empire to Los Angeles via Fullerton on the 91 line. For more information please see metrolinktrains.com.

Express Bus

Another option is riding an Express Bus from the Inland Empire into Orange County. RCTC and OCTA continue to coordinate to provide additional routes focusing on the most desired destinations. In September 2006, OCTA and the Riverside Transit Agency introduced Route 794 between Riverside/Corona and the South Coast Metro area in Costa Mesa. These buses use carpool lanes and the 91 Express Lanes to get people where they’re going quickly, concentrating on bus stops at major employment centers. For map and schedule information, visit OCTA or Riverside Transit Agency.

Rideshare/Express Lanes

Yet another option for people who can’t take advantage of public transit is to take advantage of discounted tolls on the 91 Express Lanes for carpools of 3 or more people. During non-peak hours, tolls for 3+ carpools are free of charge. During peak hours, the fare is discounted by 50 percent. RCTC and OCTA also provide carpooling assistance to commuters and employers who want to join a carpool or be part of a vanpooling program. For more information, please visit IE511.org or call Inland Empire Commuter Services at 1-866-RIDESHARE or OCTA at (714) 636-RIDE.

SR 241

And lastly, if you are traveling between Riverside County and the City of Orange or points south, you might consider taking the SR-241 toll road and bypass the SR-91/SR-55 interchange altogether. Try the 241 and you'll discover it's safe, smooth and speedy. For more information on the Transportation Corridor Agencies (TCA) toll road system and pricing, please visit the TCA's web site at thetollroads.com.