The Riverside County Transportation Commission congratulates our partner in transportation solutions the City of Temecula, on receiving $50 million in federal grant funds for the Interstate 15 French Valley Parkway interchange.

Representative Ken Calvert, CA-42, was instrumental in securing funding for the interchange, a project in his district, through the Infrastructure for Rebuilding America grant program administered by the United States Department of Transportation. Temecula was one of only twenty grant recipients in the entire nation.

“Our regional economy depends upon our transportation network, which is severely congested,” said RCTC Chair and Riverside County Supervisor Chuck Washington. “Thanks to the continued efforts of Congressman Calvert and the U.S. Department of Transportation, the City of Temecula is one giant step closer to traffic relief in southwest Riverside County.”

Temecula’s grant demonstrates the success of partners working together.  The City is working closely with Caltrans, RCTC, neighboring cities, the business community, and many others to address congestion on I-15.  RCTC has programmed $47.6 million in state funds for the French Valley Parkway Interchange.

“Traffic doesn’t heed city or county lines, so bringing funding to anywhere in Riverside County is a victory for all residents,” Washington added.  “Our county must work together to secure as many transportation funds as possible. This is a big win for our region.”

The grant funds will allow the City of Temecula to complete the next phase of the French Valley Parkway interchange with Interstate 15. The project is designed to reduce traffic weaving as motorists drive northbound and southbound on I-15, especially at the 15/215 ‘Y’ interchange.

The interchange has been a priority for RCTC for many years and the Commission included the next phase of the project in its 2019-2029 Western County Highway Delivery Plan. RCTC prides itself in working will our transportation partners in solving traffic issues for our residents.  It is our mission.

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.