RCTC is applying for a $75 million federal grant to help improve travel along the 91 through three separate projects. Commissioners are traveling to Washington, D.C. this week to seek congressional support for the grant application, which is due March 4.

The “91 Workforce to Workplace Vitality Network” application seeks funds from the federal Infrastructure for Rebuilding America (INFRA) grant program administered by the U.S. Department of Transportation.

“Riverside County residents power the economy of southern California,” said RCTC Chair Chuck Washington.  “Unfortunately, our residents must endure among the longest commutes in the nation to secure their own prosperity and support the national economy.  With local and state funds we have helped ourselves to the maximum extent, and now we need federal partnership.”

The grant would fund three improvements, which could begin next year:

91 Corridor Operations Project – A new auxiliary lane from the Green River Road on-ramp on westbound 91 to the State Route 241 connector, a project championed by local residents and accelerated by RCTC in 2018.

71/91 Interchange – Replaces the single lane loop connector between eastbound 91 and northbound 71 with a two-lane director connector ramp. This project is part of the voter-approved Measure A expenditure plan and has been on the books for decades.

15/91 Express Lanes Connector – New connector from the future southbound 15 Express Lanes (currently under construction) to the westbound 91 Express Lanes, and links the eastbound 91 Express Lanes to the future northbound 15 Express Lanes. State funding secured by Assembly Member Sabrina Cervantes and Senator Richard Roth in 2017 jump-started this project, which was shelved during the Great Recession.

Motorists and community members who wish to express their support for the grant funding can register at rctc.org/91workforce.

RCTC sought funding for the 71/91 Interchange last year through a similar federal grant program and received a “Highly Recommended” rating by U.S. DOT officials, according to a debrief provided to RCTC by U.S. DOT.  However, Transportation Secretary Elaine Chao did not select the interchange for this highly competitive nationwide program.

RCTC Vice Chair Ben Benoit, who is leading the delegation to the nation’s Capital, is optimistic and determined in the commission’s pursuit of federal funds.

“Our residents and businesses struggle every day on the 91 corridor and throughout our fast-growing county,” Benoit said. “And every day we will do our best to make our case to our representatives in Washington. I am confident our voice will be heard and ultimately we will get these projects moving,” he added.

Keeping its promise to commuters, the Riverside County Transportation Commission (RCTC) recently made improvements to State Route 91 and Interstate 15 to improve the entrance and exit points to the 91 Express Lanes.  RCTC is continuing to develop additional improvements.

In September, the northbound I-15 entrance lane to the 91 Express Lanes was extended one mile south so cars entering the express lanes can move from the general purpose lanes sooner and help overall traffic flow on I-15.  In November, RCTC restriped the transition point between the Riverside County and Orange County segments of the 91 Express Lanes to provide a smoother transition for motorists entering and exiting the express lanes.  RCTC Commissioners authorized these improvements after thoroughly evaluating traffic data and listening to public suggestions.

RCTC also released an update of work it has aggressively pursued since spring 2018 to develop environmental and technical analyses to add an additional lane on westbound 91 between Green River Road and the 241.  This additional westbound lane has been known as “Option 4M” or the “91 Corridor Operations Project” (91 COP).  At its May 9 meeting, the Commission voted to accelerate the 91 COP by authorizing the expenditure of nearly $5 million in surplus toll revenue to begin environmental and design work, amend existing contracts, and procure estimates of construction costs and toll revenue impacts. Results of this work are as follows:

• The estimated construction cost is $36.1 million ($43 million total).
• The 91 Express Lanes in Riverside County will experience an estimated net loss of $165.5 million in toll revenue between 2022 and 2035 due to the 91 COP.
• Design and environmental work are ongoing concurrently and can be complete by late 2019.
• Advertising for construction could occur in early 2020.
• The soonest the 91 COP can be open to motorists is late 2021.

Today, the Commission voted to continue progress on the 91 COP and to consider this project for a limited pool of funding available for several long-deferred projects in Riverside County. This action followed similar action taken on November 26 by RCTC’s Western Riverside County Programs & Projects Committee.

Additionally, RCTC worked with Caltrans and the City of Corona this summer and fall to study the impact of turning off the on-ramp meter at the westbound 91 Green River Road interchange. Results of two studies showed an increase in overall delay on the 91 corridor, an increase in unsafe movements by drivers, and a decrease in the total number of cars moving through the area.  Therefore, Caltrans has determined the ramp meter will continue to operate, allowing one car per lane per green light. The studies were performed at the request of Caltrans, RCTC Commissioner Karen Spiegel, and members of the public who communicated with RCTC, Caltrans, and the City of Corona.