RCTC - Commission Connection





	RCTC Adopts Priorities for Next Federal Transportation Bill In 2009, Congress will consider another 6-year bill authorizing federal transportation funding. In preparation, the Commission adopted the following high priority projects to be considered in the federal transportation bill; the projects are part of a corridor-centered approach that focuses on the Alameda Corridor, I-215 and I-10. Alameda Corridor East Grade Separations in Riverside County The impact of delays caused by freight trains traveling through Riverside County is rapidly becoming one of the area’s most pressing transportation concerns. The Commission has twice adopted a Grade Separation Funding Strategy that provides a blueprint for delivering 20 needed grade separation projects in Riverside County. Many of these projects can be delivered by 2016 and were identified as part of the Commission’s federal funding request. Interstate 215 Corridor Improvements Interstate 215 is a key corridor in Riverside County and is a regionally significant highway linking Riverside and San Bernardino Counties. The proposed corridor improvements consist of three critical projects: French Valley Parkway Central I-215 Project: Scott Road to Nuevo Road I-215 Bi-County Gap Closure Project In addition to the I-215 Corridor improvements, the Commission continues to invest in transit along the corridor including the Perris Valley Line Metrolink Extension. Interstate 10 Corridor Improvements Interstate 10 serves as the gateway to the Coachella Valley, and RCTC will work with the Coachella Valley Association of Governments to identify needed highway, arterial and transit projects. Currently, CVAG is working on the following I-10 freeway interchanges: Palm Drive Bob Hope Drive/Ramon Road Indian Avenue Jefferson Street Date Palm Drive Future improvements along the corridor could include enhanced public transit service.

RCTC & SANBAG to Implement Inland Empire 511

In partnership with the San Bernardino Associated Governments, the Riverside County Transportation Commission approved implementing a 511 national travel information number at its May 13, 2009 meeting. The system, which is projected to be operational in October 2009, will provide comprehensive traveler information for the region and provide links and call transfer capabilities to 511 systems in Arizona and Nevada. The 511 system will provide comprehensive trip planning for transit users and offer significant rideshare and alternative commute information to educate and inform Inland Empire constituents on their choices for mobility as opposed to driving alone.

Inland Empire TMC – Under Construction

A major component of an enhanced 511 system is now under construction. Caltrans, the San Bernardino Associated Governments and RCTC are funding the completion of a new Transportation Management Center (TMC) to serve the Inland Empire. The new TMC will be located in the city of Fontana near the I-15 and SR-210 freeways. The project is expected to be completed in December 2010 and will operate 24 hours a day. Once completed, the transportation center will co-house Caltrans and the California Highway Patrol in a single facility. Using real time intelligent transportation technologies to manage Inland Empire freeway traffic, the transportation center will improve response time for incidents.

Upcoming Meetings

RCTC will hold its next regularly scheduled meeting on Wednesday, June 10, 2009, at the Riverside County Administrative Center, Board of Supervisors Meeting Room, 4080 Lemon Street, Riverside.

Speaker’s Bureau

RCTC also maintains a speaker’s bureau that actively makes presentations throughout the county on transportation issues. If you are interested in scheduling a presentation for your service club or community organization, please contact Eliza Echevarria at (951) 787-7141 or eechevarria@rctc.org.

Transportation in the News

Commission welcomes further study of Perris Valley Line
(Press Enterprise, May 14, 2009)

More study, changes in store for Metrolink project
(Press Enterprise, May 13, 2009)

Track improvements will benefit Perris railway museum trains
(Press Enterprise, May 13, 2009)

Riverside County commission opposes tax-related state bill
(Press Enterprise, May 13, 2009)

Streetwise spending
(Press Enterprise, May 12, 2009)

Riverside County cities may get break on required spending
(Press Enterprise, May 11, 2009)