RCTC Adopts FY 2009/10 Budget By
Unanimous Vote

During the upcoming fiscal year, the Riverside County Transportation Commission will expend more than $669 million on a variety of projects and programs including the widening of three major freeways and the development of toll facilities on SR-91 through Corona and on major sections of the I-15.  Significant highway projects include the SR-74/I-215 Interchange; SR-91, I-15 and I-215 corridor improvements; SR-91 high occupancy vehicle lanes/Adams Street to SR-60/SR-91/I-215 interchange; local circulation interchanges on SR-91 at Van Buren Boulevard and La Sierra Avenue and SR-60 at Valley Way and the Mid County Parkway.

The development of the Perris Valley Metrolink extension is also a priority project with an anticipated service launch in 2012.  The project received a favorable rating from the Federal Transit Administration and $45 million in federal funding in the Federal FY 2008/09 appropriations bill.

Regional programs such as Metrolink operations and bus transit services will receive $115.2 million in the coming year.  Much of that funding is received from state sales tax sources and is passed through to individual transit operators, although additional Measure A funds are used for public and specialized transit services.

The primary source of funding for most capital projects can be traced back to voter approval of Measure A, the half cent sales tax initiative.  For FY 2009/10, Measure A revenues are projected at $121.5 million.  All Measure A funds are spent in accordance with the expenditure plan, with the vast majority being invested in capital projects.

In terms of expenditures for staffing and administration, RCTC is limited by state law to spending no more than one percent of Measure A revenues on administrative salaries and benefits.  The budget authorizes a total of 41 administrative and program staff positions in the coming year which represents a reduction in staffing of four positions from the prior year.

Decision To Refocus Mid County Parkway Delayed For Further Review

In response to comments received on the draft environmental impact reports, the Commission reviewed plans to refocus the Mid County Parkway (MCP).  The revised plan would change the limits of the corridor to I-215 as the western terminus with SR-79 remaining as the eastern terminus of the project.  If approved, instead of a 32-mile transportation corridor, the modified MCP would be a 16-mile parkway connecting a north-south interstate highway and a north-south state highway.  Over the next 30 days, staff will work with local jurisdictions to further review the proposed modification and bring an item back to the Commission at its July 8, 2009 meeting.  Complete details of the proposed change can be found at the project website midcountyparkway.org.