RCTC has received a credit rating upgrade for bonds tied to the 91 Express Lanes, a reflection of the Commission’s disciplined financial management of the SR-91 toll revenue program, strong operational performance, and reliable express lane operations. Fitch upgraded RCTC’s $613 million senior lien SR-91 toll revenue bonds from A to A+ and its $75.7 million subordinate lien SR-91 toll revenue bonds from A- to A. Fitch also assigned a Stable Outlook to both ratings.

The upgrades strengthen RCTC’s position in the credit markets and recognize the continued financial resilience of the 91 Express Lanes, including effective toll operations, revenue performance, and ongoing investment in technology to support reliable service. The rating upgrades may also help reduce future borrowing costs, strengthening the Commission’s ability to deliver transportation improvements while providing long-term value to Riverside County taxpayers.

RCTC financed and built the eight-mile Riverside County extension of the 91 Express Lanes. Jointly operated by RCTC and the Orange County Transportation Authority as part of the larger 91 Express Lanes network, the extension has provided motorists with a reliable travel option since the lanes first opened in 2017.

Revenue from the 91 Express Lanes funds operations and maintenance and repays bonds issued to build the infrastructure. Toll revenue also supports future transportation improvements within the 91 corridor, including non-toll projects. Recent corridor improvements include the 91 Corridor Operations Project and 15/91 Express Lanes Connector, which have enhanced travel in both the Express Lanes and general-purpose lanes.

The future 91 Eastbound Corridor Operations Project is expected to include toll revenue funding, subject to applicable approvals and funding requirements.

RCTC took a significant step to advance the I-15 Express Lanes Project Southern Extension with the approval of a Progressive Design-Build Phase 1 contract. The project is a major investment aimed at reducing congestion and improving travel for Riverside County residents along one of the region’s busiest transportation corridors.

“The I-15 corridor is a heavily traveled route in Riverside County and a critical connection for residents, commuters, and goods movement throughout our region,” said Raymond Gregory, Mayor of Cathedral City and Chair of RCTC. “This project is an important step toward helping people spend less time stuck in traffic.”

As a major first for a highway infrastructure project in California, RCTC is utilizing a Progressive Design-Build method to accelerate the delivery of the project. Phase 1 includes the preliminary design along with validating the project scope and negotiating the cost for Phase 2. Phase 2 will include final design and construction.

The project will extend the existing I-15 Express Lanes approximately 15.8 miles south by adding two Express Lanes in each direction from Cajalco Road in Corona to State Route 74 (Central Avenue) in Lake Elsinore. The project includes widening up to 15 bridges, constructing auxiliary lanes, installing electronic toll collection systems, and implementing drainage and noise reduction features along existing right-of-way.

Based on available funding, the project could begin construction in late 2027 and open to traffic by 2030. Once completed, the project is expected to improve traffic flow and help Riverside County residents and commuters traveling through the I-15 corridor spend less time in traffic.

For more information about the I-15 Express Lanes Project Southern Extension and to sign up for updates, please visit: rctc.org/15projectsouth

If you have recently traveled on the 91 and 15 Express Lanes, you may have noticed improvements to the roadway thanks to RCTC’s recently completed slab pavement replacement project. As part of the toll program’s ongoing maintenance efforts, several deteriorating slabs on the 91 and 15 Express Lanes were replaced to maintain safe and smooth roads.

Throughout November and December, a total of 61 slabs were replaced. These slabs displayed some cracking requiring replacement to prevent rapid deterioration and reduce roadway hazards. Construction crews cut out these existing slabs in segments, performing this work at night to ensure the safety of the crews and to reduce travel time disruptions. After the replacement slabs were in place, crews performed grinding and striping to ensure a smooth roadway.

These slab replacements provide a noticeably enhanced driving experience thanks to smoother pavement and profile grinding. This work also helps extend the life of the pavement, reducing the frequency of future repairs and lowering long-term maintenance costs.

Thanks to these improvements, motorists driving on the 91 and 15 Express Lanes can also expect more consistent and reliable travel times.

Fitch Ratings, a prominent New York-based credit ratings agency, has upgraded the debt outlook for the Riverside County Transportation Commission (RCTC) from Stable to Positive. This upgrade demonstrates RCTC’s impressive financial performance and highlights the potential for a higher debt rating in the near future.

This upgrade is a response to the robust traffic and revenue levels on the 91 Express Lanes, indicating a strong demand for this vital transportation corridor. During the November announcement, Fitch also reaffirmed its existing ratings for RCTC’s 91 toll revenue bonds.

This upgrade signals confidence in RCTC’s fiscal health and management, suggesting that continued effective operational strategies could lead to further improvements in RCTC’s credit rating. A positive outlook benefits our community and fosters ongoing investments in infrastructure that enhance mobility and connectivity for Riverside County residents.

Toll agencies across the state have noticed an increase in scam-based text messages. The text messages claim a toll lane customer has an outstanding balance, followed by a link to pay the balance due.  The link provided in the text is to a fraudulent webpage that features toll agency logos and a payment button. It is important for toll lane users to understand that toll agencies do not request payment through the use of text messages and that the link in the text should not be clicked.

The scam-based texts are designed to deceive drivers into entering banking or credit card information into a website, fraudulently claiming to represent tolling agencies and requesting payment of unpaid tolls.

Unfortunately, these scams are not new. FasTrak® toll lane customers are advised to stay alert. Thousands of complaints have been filed for these types of scams since spring 2024 and law enforcement and other government agencies have put out multiple alerts to warn the public about these scams.

RCTC wants you to be vigilant and know the signs to spot fake texts. This vigilance will empower you to avoid falling victim to these scams.

Please share this information so that others are aware of these scam attempts. If you are ever in doubt, Riverside County toll customers can call Riverside Express customer service center at (855) 951-1500 or the 91 Express Lanes customer service center at (800) 600-9191.

Did you miss one of the three I-15 Express Lanes Project Southern Extension public meetings in October? No need to worry. Riverside County residents still have time to view and comment on the Draft Environmental Impact Report and Environmental Assessment (DEIR/EA). The public comment period runs through November 26, 2024. The release of the Draft EIR/EA is a significant milestone for the project, moving the region closer to relieving traffic on this part of the heavily traveled I-15.

The proposed project would extend the I-15 Express Lanes an additional 15.8 miles from El Cerrito Road in Corona through Temescal Valley to State Route 74 (Central Avenue) in Lake Elsinore. The new Express Lanes would not replace any existing lanes. The project includes adding two tolled lanes in each direction within the I-15 median by widening the pavement and bridges. The project would also add southbound I-15 auxiliary lanes between the Nichols Road on-ramp and the SR-74 (Central Avenue) off-ramp and between the SR-74 (Central Avenue) on-ramp and Main Street off-ramp. Construction on the I-15 Express Lanes Project Southern Extension may begin in 2027, depending on funding availability.

To review and comment on the Draft EIR/EA or to view material from the open house public meetings, please visit: rctc.org/15ProjectSouth

In what marks a significant milestone for the Interstate 15 Express Lanes Project Southern Extension, RCTC and Caltrans have released the Draft Environmental Impact Report and Environmental Assessment (EIR/EA) for the public to review and submit comments. The release of the Draft EIR/EA moves the region closer to relieving traffic on this part of the highway subject to project approval upon completion of the environmental process. Due to rapid population growth along the corridor and increased freight movement, traffic congestion continues to make the commute to and from southwest Riverside County difficult. The project aims to provide alternative travel choices and traffic relief to this region.

The 45-day public comment period runs from October 9 to November 26, 2024. RCTC will also be hosting three open house public meetings to provide the public information and to gather feedback from residents on the project.

The proposed project would extend the I-15 Express Lanes an additional 15.8 miles from El Cerrito Road in Corona through Temescal Valley to State Route 74 (Central Avenue) in Lake Elsinore. The project would add two tolled lanes in each direction within the I-15 median by widening the pavement and bridges and would not replace any existing lanes. The project would also add southbound I-15 auxiliary lanes between both the Nichols Road on-ramp and the SR-74 (Central Avenue) off-ramp, and between the SR-74 (Central Avenue) on-ramp and Main Street off-ramp.

Once the entire 15.8-mile length is constructed, the project would provide a reliable tolled travel time option to move motorists through this congested corridor and maintain compatibility with the regional Express Lanes network. The project would also increase opportunities for mass transit, such as RTA Express Buses and carpooling.

Residents are encouraged to review the draft environmental document at rctc.org/15ProjectSouth or at libraries in Corona and Lake Elsinore. Comments may be submitted through the following methods:

• Email: 15ProjectSouth@rctc.org
• By U.S. Mail at:
  Jeff Dietzler, Capital Projects Manager (Tolling)
  Riverside County Transportation Commission
  4080 Lemon Street, Third Floor
  P.O. Box 12008
  Riverside, CA 92501
• Three Open House Public Meetings scheduled from 6 p.m. to 8 p.m. on the dates below; the content will be the same at the three meetings. Spanish interpretation will be provided.

For more information on the 15 Express Project Southern Extension and to sign up for project updates, visit: rctc.org/15ProjectSouth

Toll customers across the country have become the next targets of a new type of text message scam. Since spring, the Federal Bureau of Investigation, attorneys general, and countless other government agencies have sent out alerts to the public about a new type of scam related to toll charges.

Using the FasTrak® toll system in California is a straightforward process. Each time you use Express Lanes, you pay a toll.

To prey on FasTrak customers, scammers are pretending to be one of many California FasTrak agencies (e.g. 91 Express Lanes, Bay Area Tolling Agency) informing the individual of unpaid toll charges through a text message. The message advises the individual to click on a link embedded in the text message to pay the outstanding balance.

When the individual clicks on the link, they are redirected to a fraudulent website featuring the FasTrak logo and payment button. At that point, users are asked to enter personal information such as a driver’s license number, address, name, and date of birth. After entering their personal information, users are then prompted to provide payment information such as a credit card number or bank account. The purpose of the scam is to steal your money and your identity.

Please share this information so that others are aware of these scam attempts. If you are ever in doubt, Riverside County toll customers can call Riverside Express customer service center at (855) 951-1500 or the 91 Express Lanes customer service center at (800) 600-9191.

The Riverside County Transportation Commission (RCTC) continues to make headways in the pursuit of much-needed federal funding for transportation improvements in Riverside County. Four Community Project Funding (CPF) projects totaling $12.5 million have received support from local members of Congress in the Fiscal Year 2025 Appropriations bill. These requests follow RCTC’s recent accomplishment of securing $9.5 million in federal funding. 

Representative Young Kim has championed RCTC’s request for $4 million for the State Route 91 Eastbound Corridor Operations Project (91 ECOP). The 91 ECOP will alleviate traffic congestion along eastbound SR-91 between the 241 Toll Road connector and SR-71 in Corona, especially during peak afternoon commutes between Orange County and Riverside County. 

Senators Alex Padilla and Laphonza Butler have been instrumental in advancing RCTC’s request of $3 million for the Mid County Parkway: Ramona Expressway Project. This project, spanning an 8.6-mile stretch of road in the rapidly growing communities of Perris, San Jacinto, Nuevo, and Lakeview, is a significant step towards enhancing safety and furthering the vision of a multimodal corridor.  

Representative Ken Calvert has requested $3 million for the Interstate 15 Express Lanes Project Southern Extension. The project will extend the existing I-15 Express Lanes south by 14.5 miles between Corona and Lake Elsinore and will significantly improve traffic operations and enhance safety. For residents in the surrounding communities, I-15 is the lifeline connecting them to jobs, education, and regional destinations. Once completed, the project will increase travel choices, allow for commuter buses, and improve travel time reliability.

Representative Mark Takano has advanced RCTC’s $2.5 million request for the Metrolink Double Track Project: Moreno Valley to Perris. The project will upgrade 6.5 miles of existing freight track on the 91/Perris Valley Line between the Moreno Valley/March Field Station and just north of the Perris-Downtown Station. The historic tracks are currently rated for much slower speeds than passenger trains require, and the upgrade would improve the reliability of Metrolink service, increase access to jobs and education, and reduce air pollution in this rapidly expanding area of Riverside County. 

RCTC appreciates the leadership and efforts of Senators Padilla and Butler, as well as Representatives Calvert, Kim, and Takano, to bring federal transportation funding to Riverside County to enhance mobility and quality of life for its residents. 

Following up a banner year in 2022, a year in which RCTC delivered a staggering five capital projects, the agency carried that momentum into 2023 – advancing projects and investing in transportation improvements for communities across Riverside County. This progress was highlighted in RCTC’s 2023 Annual Report. 

Investments in Riverside County’s highways and roads continued in 2023. The agency started and ended the year strong – breaking ground on the transformative 71/91 Interchange Project in January, followed by the highly-anticipated opening of the 15/91 Express Lanes Connector in October. Together, these projects will improve connectivity, reduce traffic flow, and expand transportation options for the region. 

Enhancing public transportation continued to be a point of emphasis for RCTC in 2023. The transformational Coachella Valley Rail Project (CV Rail) was added to the federal Identification and Development Program and awarded $500,000 by the Federal Railroad Administration. This designation and grant award recognizes the value CV Rail will bring to Riverside County and throughout southern California. Crews on the Moreno Valley/March Field Station Improvements Project continued working on adding a second platform and extending the existing platform to accommodate the standard six car Metrolink trains, moving the project closer to completion later this year. Additionally, the California State Transportation Agency awarded $15.5 million to the Metrolink Double Track Project on the 91/Perris Valley Line to improve reliability and future capacity for service, capping off a strong year of state and federal investment in the county’s rail network.

RCTC celebrated a special birthday – the Freeway Service Patrol’s (FSP) 30 years of service. FSP drivers assisted over 56,000 motorists during the past year and more than one million motorists total since the program’s inception in 1993. FSP drivers aid stranded motorists by jump-starting batteries, fixing flat tires, conducting other minor roadside repairs, or towing vehicles to CHP-approved locations.  

Sharing is caring – motorists were encouraged to share rides and reduce greenhouse gas emissions through the popular IE Commuter program. The program supported more than 1,100 employers with ridesharing programs and reduced 10.7 million pounds of vehicle emissions in 2023. 

RCTC’s environmental stewardship extends beyond just transportation. As the managing agency of the Western Riverside County Regional Conservation Authority (RCA), RCTC continues to help the RCA drive conservation efforts in western Riverside County. The RCA is tasked with establishing a 500,000-acre habitat reserve under the Multiple Species Habitat Conservation Plan (MSHCP) – one of the largest conservation plans in the nation. 2023 was a year marked by significant funding and agency-led advocacy effort successes. The RCA secured nearly $27 million in various state and federal grants and acquired more 1,120 acres of sensitive habitat for protection. As of this writing, over 415,000 acres of habitat have been assembled as part of the MSHCP. 

The twice voter-approved Measure A continued to be a critical funding source for transit services, local roads, and highway projects. In 2023, RCTC approved over $310 million in Measure A funding for countywide projects: $135 million in funding for 18 significant regional transportation projects as part of the Regional Arterial Program, an additional $143.9 million for 285 local road projects, and allocated over $32 million in Measure A funds for local bus systems, passenger rail, and specialized transit services. 

As we move forward into 2024, RCTC is looking ahead at the future of transportation in our communities. To address the growing needs of Riverside County, RCTC has drafted a 2024 Traffic Relief Plan outlining future transportation infrastructure enhancements, increased transit services, and repairing our local streets and roads. Residents are urged to provide their input at trafficreliefplan.org to make sure future transportation needs continue to be met. 

Learn more about RCTC’s 2023 work and accomplishments in the official Annual Report.