The Point: RCTC continues to connect Riverside County with roads, rails, and trails
In a year filled with significant challenges and opportunities for communities across the region, RCTC remained laser focused on transportation solutions of all modes – improving highways, bridges, passenger rail service, and trails.
Our transportation network safely connects Riverside County’s diverse communities, offers mobility choices, reduces traffic congestion, and streamlines the movement of goods, all of which help residents make vital connections to school, work, friends, and family.
During 2021, RCTC invested $877 million in 28 roadway and rail station projects, including the newly opened 15 Express Lanes in Jurupa Valley, Eastvale, Norco, and Corona, and ongoing construction of the Route 60 Truck Lanes between Moreno Valley and Beaumont, the 91 Corridor Operations Project in Corona, the I-15 Railroad Canyon Road Interchange in Lake Elsinore, the I-215 Placentia Avenue Interchange in Perris, the Pachappa Underpass in Riverside, and the Riverside-Downtown Station Layover Facility. Construction also began on the 15/91 Express Lanes Connector in Corona.
RCTC led engineering and environmental studies and sought funding to move projects closer to the start line, such as the Coachella Valley Rail passenger train service between our desert communities and L.A. Union Station, the Mid County Parkway from Perris to Hemet and San Jacinto, the I-15 Interim Corridor Operations Project and the I-15 Corridor Operations Project in Corona and the Temescal Valley, the I-10 Highland Springs Interchange in Banning and Beaumont, the 71/91 Interchange in Corona, the I-15 Smart Freeway Pilot Project in Murrieta and Temecula, and the 15 Express Lanes Project Southern Extension in Lake Elsinore, the Temescal Valley, and Corona, the Santa Ana River Trail along the 91, the Riverside-Downtown Station, and the Moreno Valley/March Field station.
In addition to these investments, RCTC:
- Protected our environment, especially by becoming the managing agency of the Western Riverside County Regional Conservation Authority, which implements the Multiple Species Habitat Conservation Plan
- Improved our public transit system with continued funding of three Metrolink lines, nine Metrolink stations, seven local bus systems, and 16 specialized transit services
- Helped our economy recover by providing nearly 13,000 jobs and saving taxpayers $85 million by prepaying our federal loan and refinancing debt for the 91 Express Lanes
- Offered drivers choices by operating the 91 Express Lanes, opening the new 15 Express Lanes, and reinvesting toll revenue in new traffic relief projects along the 91 and 15 corridors, and
- Connected with residents via our social media and website, reestablishing the RCA Stakeholders Committee, and aiding stranded motorists with our Freeway Service Patrols
The voices in our communities help shape the transportation system. RCTC is working to connect to residents across our county to look for ways to reduce transportation bottlenecks and hear how to achieve greater mobility options.
As we begin a new year, check out RCTC’s 2021 work and accomplishments in our Annual Report and video series to learn more.