RCTC - Commission Connection





	Mid County Parkway To Be Refocused The Riverside County Transportation Commission has taken action to focus the Mid County Parkway (MCP) project limits to the portion between I-215 and SR-79. This recommendation, a response to comments received during the environmental process, was considered at length at the June 2009 meeting. Concerns raised by the city of Riverside related to traffic impacts delayed action so that Commission staff could work with local jurisdictions to explore additional transportation options. Many of the concerns raised focused on ensuring the County’s success with improvements to Cajalco Road to allow increased traffic capacity. Additionally, the city wanted assurance that improvements to the SR-91/I-15 interchange would be in place prior to any construction on the modified MCP. Members of the Commission also commented on the important role east-west arterials will play in local circulation as a result of a modified MCP. The Commission action changes the limits of the corridor to I-215 as the western terminus with SR-79 remaining as the eastern terminus of the project. Instead of a 32-mile transportation corridor, the modified MCP will be a 16-mile parkway connecting a north-south interstate highway and a north-south state highway. Complete details of the refocused MCP can be found at the project website (www.midcountyparkway.org). The Commission reaffirmed its commitment to a future east-west corridor between I-215 and I-15 by supporting the county of Riverside’s planned improvements to Cajalco Road. The Commission will prioritize funding for preparation of environmental documents for the widening of Cajalco Road and made the decision that should the environmental process not be cleared by 2013, that it will consider reinitiation of the Community and Environmental Transportation Acceptability Process corridor analysis between I-215 and I-15 as an alternative project. Commission Selects Underwriters and Disclosure Counsel and Reviews Preliminary Plan of Finance At its July 8, 2009 meeting, the Commission approved the selection of underwriters and disclosure counsel in connection with its long-term debt financing program related to the 2009 Measure A program. The underwriters and disclosure counsel firms will assist in the development of financing programs and the marketing and sale of debt issues to fund transportation projects that will facilitate mobility throughout the region. The Commission also reviewed the preliminary plan of finance for the issuance of $185 million in sales tax revenue bonds to refinance the $126,395,000 sales tax revenue bonds, 2008 series, and $50 million in outstanding commercial paper. This 2009 bond issuance is also related to the start of $185 million in interest rate swaps on October 1, 2009. The final plan of finance and related documents will be presented to the Commission for approval at its August 2009 meeting. The Commission expects to complete the debt issuance in early fall 2009.

RCTC Approves Transit Funding for FY 2009/10

As the Regional Transportation Planning Agency, RCTC is responsible for planning transit services, allocation of transit funds, operator oversight and performance monitoring. In June, the Commission approved Short Range Transit Plans (SRTP) for public bus and commuter rail service providers. The SRTPs identify operating and capital budgets as well as funding sources and serve as blueprints for the future development of transit services, operations and infrastructure. Based on the approved SRTPs, RCTC approved approximately $199 million dollars in funding to cover the operating and capital costs for seven public bus operators and Metrolink commuter rail services for FY 2009/10. It’s estimated that ridership for FY 2009/10 will be a little over 15.7 million, representing a 4% increase over the previous fiscal year.

Upcoming Meetings

RCTC will hold a special meeting on Wednesday, August 12, 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

Do Not Reject Partial Parkway
(Press Enterprise, 6/20/2009)

Inland Transit Desires Listed
(Press Enterprise, 6/19/2009)

Transit Bill Appears Likely to Address Inland Goals, However, Funding Concerns Linger
(Press Enterprise, 6/18/2009)

Tough Roadwork Decisions Ahead for Inland Counties
(Press Enterprise, 6/16/2009)

Plans For Mid-County Parkway May Be Cut In Half
(Press Enterprise, 6/3/2009)