During its 33rd Annual Awards Gala, the Construction Management Association of America awarded RCTC’s 71/91 Interchange and I-15 Smart Freeway Pilot Project each with the organization’s prestigious Project Achievement Award. This distinction celebrates the very best in the field – projects that set the standard for excellence and serve as inspiration for the entire industry.

Whether it’s delivering a new connector on the 71/91 interchange, or implementing solutions on the I-15, the Commission continues to lead the way in delivering transportation improvements in our region.

The 71/91 Interchange in Corona replaced an outdated single-lane loop connector with a new, two-lane direct connector. The non-tolled connector is designed to improve safety, expand access, and enhance traffic flow. In southwest Riverside County, the recently completed I-15 Smart Freeway Pilot Project – the first-of-its-kind project in California – incorporated “smart” technology on nearly eight miles of road to optimize traffic flow along the heavily traveled northbound I-15.

Projects like these advance the Commission’s mission to deliver mobility solutions for the people of Riverside County.

IE Commuter, the popular commuter program led by RCTC and the San Bernardino County Transportation Authority (SBCTA), was recently honored with the prestigious Transportation Demand Management (TDM) Industry Impact Award during the 39th Annual Association for Commuter Transportation (ACT) International Conference. This national award recognizes outstanding programs that measurably improve mobility, reduce traffic congestion, and enhance air quality.

The program was recognized for its leadership in shifting solo drivers towards shared commute modes through a coordinated blend of employer partnerships, incentive programs, education, and ridematching technology.

“Using carpools, vanpools, and public transportation significantly eases regional transportation congestion,” said RCTC Chair and Riverside County Board of Supervisor Karen Spiegel. “I am proud of the national recognition our IE Commuter program has in collaboration with our valued partners at SBCTA. Together, we are demonstrating our commitment to improving mobility for Inland Empire residents.”

The Inland Empire is home to more than 4.6 million residents who face some of the longest commutes in the country. The program facilitates carpooling, vanpooling, and the use of public transit as alternatives to driving alone. These initiatives enable residents to reduce commuting costs and travel time, while enhancing the overall quality of their daily commutes.

IE Commuter, RCTC, and SBCTA continue to pave the way for improved travel, cleaner air, and healthier communities. To learn more about the program and to start your smarter commute, please visit: iecommuter.org

RCTC takes pride in being a responsible steward of public funds, fulfilling this financial duty with the utmost diligence. We are thrilled to announce that our commitment to excellence in financial reporting has once again been recognized by the Government Finance Officers Association of the United States and Canada (GFOA). RCTC was awarded the GFOA’s prestigious Certificate of Achievement for Excellence in Financial Reporting for the Fiscal Year 2024 Annual Comprehensive Financial Report.

This award recognizes the tremendous dedication and hard work invested by RCTC’s finance department, reflecting their unwavering commitment to transparency and precision in all aspects of financial management. RCTC upholds strict financial controls to ensure accountability and uphold public trust. We are committed to the responsible stewardship of public funds.

The Certificate of Achievement is the highest honor in government accounting and financial reporting. RCTC is honored to be the recipient of this prestigious award.

The project also will extend the eastbound 91 Express Lanes and an adjacent eastbound 91 general-purpose lane about one-half mile east to Promenade Avenue in Corona. This eastern extension will help with vehicle merging in this area.

The project will:

• Allow a seamless transition between the 91 and 15 tolled Express Lanes
• Reduce traffic congestion at the interchange and along eastbound 91
• Improve travel time reliability
• Enhance safety by reducing lane merging
• Add approximately 1,800 jobs, based on methodology from the Federal Highway Administration

Design work will be under way through spring 2021, followed by construction. During construction, drivers should expect nighttime lane closures and connector closures, as well as weekend closures. The new connector is expected to open in 2023.

“Building this connector will improve the way we travel in Riverside County and offer more choices for drivers,” said Commission Chair Ben J. Benoit, who also serves as a Wildomar City Council member. “Design work that is starting now will be performed using safe practices, with most staff working remotely. Projects like these reflect our Commission’s fiscal responsibility and are providing new jobs that are important for Riverside County’s economic recovery,” he said.

Funding totaling $180 million is provided by Senate Bill 132, as well as $90 million from surplus toll revenue. Senate Bill 132 was a special transportation funding bill by State Assembly Member Sabrina Cervantes and State Senator Richard Roth that was approved by the Governor in 2017. The unprecedented legislation also funded four other transportation projects in Riverside County.

Revenue collected from tolls is used to operate and maintain the lanes and to repay the construction debt. Surplus revenue is reserved for additional transportation improvements in the corridor, including this project and the 91 Corridor Operations Project, a new westbound lane between Green River Road and Route 241, scheduled to start this fall.

The Point:  Award recognizes highest principles of governmental budgeting, fiscal responsibility

The Government Finance Officers Association presented RCTC and its Finance Department with its Distinguished Budget Presentation Award last month for its 2018/19 budget, reflecting RCTC’s commitment to fiscal responsibility.

The award represents a significant achievement by RCTC and reflects the commitment of Commissioners and staff to meet the highest principles of governmental budgeting.

To receive the award, RCTC had to satisfy four nationally recognized guidelines for effective budget presentation. These guidelines assess how well an entity’s budget serves as a policy document, financial plan, operations guide, and communication tool.

“This award recognizes the strength of RCTC’s $881 million budget, which is driven by the need to improve the quality of life for Riverside County residents, operational excellence, connecting the economy, and being a responsible partner with local, regional, and state governments,” said RCTC Chief Financial Officer Theresia Trevino. “RCTC is a responsible steward of taxpayer funds and is committed to these principles,” Trevino said.

GFOA posts its most recent budget award recipients and their corresponding budget documents on its website. Award recipients have pioneered efforts to improve the quality of budgeting and provide an excellent example for other governmental agencies in North America.