Gas Tax Archives - Riverside County Transportation Commission (RCTC)

RCTC Gears Up to Rebuild 71/91 Interchange

RCTC — Thu, 12 Jan 2023 11:59:27 +0000

The Point: Project is designed to enhance safety, expand access, reduce emissions, and improve traffic flow

A new connection from eastbound 91 to northbound 71 will be under construction soon in Corona, helping to improve regional safety, access, air quality, and traffic flow for motorists and freight. RCTC, in partnership with Caltrans, expects to start construction late this month and to open the new interchange in 2025.

“Completing this project will provide welcome relief for our residents, especially those returning to Riverside County during afternoon hours on eastbound 91,” said RCTC Chair Robert “Bob” Magee, councilmember for the City of Lake Elsinore. “The project is another example of RCTC’s efforts to improve mobility along one of our most congested areas countywide,” he said.

The project will replace the existing single-lane loop connector with a new, two-lane, non-tolled, direct connector. To support access to this new connector, the project will add an eastbound 91 auxiliary lane next to the highway shoulder and realign the eastbound 91 Green River on-ramp to the south. Crews also will slightly realign southbound 71 to create space for the new connector.

The 71/91 Interchange serves as a gateway between Riverside, Orange, and San Bernardino counties and is a vital link for commuters and freight vehicles that travel along the 91 and the 71.

Once completed, the new interchange will improve safety by reducing weaving among lanes, expand access to other modes of travel – such as Metrolink passenger rail, reduce greenhouse gas emissions with fewer idling vehicles, and enhance traffic flow by replacing the existing single-lane loop connector with the two-lane direct connector along one of the region’s heaviest traveled corridors. The project will support continued movement through this area by native wildlife such as mountain lions, bobcats, and coyotes.

Project Rendering

Project funding is comprised of a combination of federal, state, and local funds, with $58.1 million of the $137 million construction costs provided by California’s Road Repair and Accountability Act of 2017, more commonly known as Senate Bill 1. A portion of the costs is funded by Measure A, the voter approved, half-cent sales tax for transportation improvements in Riverside County. The project is expected to create approximately 1,700 construction-related jobs, including contracts awarded to Riverside-based Skanska USA Civil West and Corona-based Falcon Engineering.

Motorists should watch for nighttime and weekend closures of lanes, ramps, and connectors. To register for construction updates, visit rctc.org/71-91interchange or text 7191INTERCHANGE to 77222.

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Weekend Closure of I-15 Railroad Canyon Southbound Off-Ramp Set for Nov. 13-16

RCTC — Tue, 10 Nov 2020 23:05:32 +0000

The Point: Allow extra travel time and watch for construction work – and unlucky black cats

A full closure of the southbound Interstate 15 Railroad Canyon Road off-ramp in Lake Elsinore is coming this weekend, November 13 (yes, Friday the 13th!), to allow crews to widen and connect the new ramp to the Railroad Canyon roadway.

The work is part of the I-15 Railroad Canyon Interchange Project, which began in May and now is more than 20 percent complete. RCTC is working with Caltrans and the City of Lake Elsinore to deliver the project for improved safety, capacity, traffic flow, clean air, and access for this growing region.

The off-ramp will be closed this Friday, November 13 at 9 p.m. to Monday, November 16 at 4 a.m. for crews to shift k-rail, remove the existing pavement, excavate, install irrigation for future landscaping, and repave and restripe the off-ramp to provide extra capacity for vehicles exiting I-15.

Periodic lane closures will be required along Railroad Canyon Road during this work, but luckily, at least one lane will remain open in both directions. Local traffic signals will be set to “flash” this Friday from 5 a.m. to 9 a.m. to prepare for the off-ramp closure and then be set again to flash during the weekend closure.

Bundy Canyon Road may be used as a detour route. Please allow extra travel time on Friday morning and throughout the weekend and watch for construction workers and equipment, black cats, ladders, broken mirrors, and the number 13. Also, be aware of changing travel conditions, including the 60 mph speed limit in the I-15 project area. Traffic fines are doubled in construction zones, which would be no bueno.

Making Progress

During the first six months of work, crews focused on temporary roadway paving, drainage systems, and utility relocations. The team also completed the new southbound I-15 Railroad Canyon Road on-ramp and retaining wall and median and irrigation work on Grape Street, Summerhill Drive, Railroad Canyon Road, Diamond Drive, and Casino Drive.

During the months ahead, crews will continue building retaining walls, relocating utilities, constructing drainage systems, and paving ramps. A weekend closure for the southbound I-15 Railroad Canyon Road on-ramp also is planned.

The new interchange is anticipated to open in late 2022, if luck will have it and the weather cooperates.

Stay Connected

Sign up for email construction updates at RCTC.org/railroadcanyon. Be in the know on the go by texting RAILROAD to 772-22 and receive text updates straight to your mobile device. Also, follow @railroadcanyon on social media.

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I-15 Railroad Canyon Road Interchange Project Ready for Construction

RCTC — Fri, 13 Mar 2020 21:24:01 +0000

The Point: Long-awaited construction in Lake Elsinore to start late this spring

Construction of the Interstate 15 Railroad Canyon Road Interchange in Lake Elsinore moved another step forward on March 11 with RCTC’s selection of a contractor for this long-awaited project. The Commission awarded the $29 million contract to Riverside Construction Company, which was the lowest bidder from a field of 11.

RCTC is building the project in partnership with Caltrans and the City of Lake Elsinore to serve the needs of the area’s growing population and recreational visitors.

Benefits and features include:

Safety: Building new auxiliary lanes on I-15 to help drivers enter and exit the highway and reduce traffic back-ups
Capacity: Adding two new lanes on Railroad Canyon Road through the interchange and new lanes to the on-ramps and off-ramps with I-15
Traffic Flow: Replacing the northbound diamond off-ramp with a hook-style on-ramp and off-ramp that both connect to Grape Street
Clean Air: Reducing the number of idling vehicles waiting to enter/exit I-15, which will improve air quality
Access: Constructing sidewalks and bike lanes along Railroad Canyon Road

Construction of the project is expected to start in late spring and the new interchange is expected to open by late 2022. The project took nearly 20 years to get to the starting line, due to environmental approvals, design variations, and challenges to secure funding. The state gasoline tax is providing $15 million toward the cost of construction, and Transportation Uniform Mitigation Fees, also known as developer fees, are funding more than $17 million.

“It’s about time,” said Commissioner Robert “Bob” Magee, who also serves as a Lake Elsinore City Council Member. “We are relieved and excited that work is finally on the horizon. This project will increase safety, capacity, traffic flow, clean air, and access for Lake Elsinore drivers and visitors. Please be patient while we build this new interchange.”

During construction, drivers should expect periodic closures to lanes and ramps, slow down, allow extra travel time, watch for construction crews and equipment, be aware of changing conditions, follow detours, and stay connected through the project’s communication channels:

Social media: @railroadcanyon
Website: rctc.org/railroadcanyon
Email: railroadcanyon@rctc.org
Helpline: 877-500-RR15

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California Transportation Commission approves final funding piece for I-15 Railroad Canyon interchange in Lake Elsinore

RCTC — Tue, 10 Dec 2019 23:36:36 +0000

The Point: Long overdue project is on horizon

Hallelujah! Construction is finally ready to start next spring on the Interstate 15 Railroad Canyon Interchange in Lake Elsinore, following the California Transportation Commission’s approval of $17.9 million in state funding on December 5.

The allocation makes up the balance needed to fully fund the estimated $45 million construction project. RCTC will lead the construction effort and is issuing invitations for bids this month.

“This project is long overdue,” said RCTC Commissioner and Lake Elsinore City Council Member Bob Magee. “We have been working for nearly 20 years to make this project a reality, which is far too long. However, now that construction is right around the corner, we look forward to a safer, more efficient connection to I-15 and ask the public to be patient while construction is under way,” he said.

Other funding is provided by a combination of sources including the City of Lake Elsinore and local Transportation Uniform Mitigation Fees.

The project will result in several major changes to the current interchange that are intended to improve safety and reduce congestion, including:

Two new lanes on Railroad Canyon Road through the interchange,
Reconstruction of the northbound diamond ramps to hook ramps to connect to Grape Street,
Construction of auxiliary and deceleration lanes on I-15, and
Construction of improved pedestrian and bicycle facilities through the interchange.

Construction is expected to start in the spring and take about 2.5 years for the new interchange to open to drivers.

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California Voters Approve Proposition 69 to Protect Transportation Funding

RCTC — Thu, 07 Jun 2018 22:10:12 +0000

The Point: Transportation revenues will be used only for transportation purposes

Four out of five California voters approved the passage of Proposition 69 on June 5 to provide constitutional protection for all new transportation revenues generated by the Road Repair and Accountability Act, commonly known as the Gas Tax.

Under this new constitutional amendment, the State Legislature and Governor will be prohibited from borrowing or diverting Gas Tax funds for uses other than transportation.

The Gas Tax is providing funding for more than 500 local street and road repair projects in Riverside County upgrades to public transit, congestion relief projects, and bicycle and pedestrian projects.

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I-15/Railroad Canyon Road interchange project in Lake Elsinore now fully funded

RCTC — Thu, 24 May 2018 15:10:15 +0000

The Point: A $15 million grant of state gas tax funds enables safety and congestion relief improvements to advance.

The Riverside County Transportation Commission, in partnership with the City of Lake Elsinore, has successfully secured $15 million of gas tax funds for upgrades to the I-15/Railroad Canyon Road interchange. At the request of the City of Lake Elsinore, RCTC has been the lead agency for the project since 2013.

The California Transportation Commission approved the final piece of funding needed for construction at its meeting in San Diego on May 16.

“This is welcome news. This long-overdue project will provide traffic relief for not only the City of Lake Elsinore, but also for Menifee, Canyon Lake and the County of Riverside,” said RCTC Commissioner and Lake Elsinore City Council Member Robert “Bob” Magee. “Relief is on the way, and I appreciate the State and fellow RCTC Commissioners for their funding support.”

The project will result in several major changes to the current interchange that are intended to improve safety and reduce congestion, including:

Two new lanes on Railroad Canyon Road through the interchange,
Reconstruction of the northbound diamond ramps to hook ramps to connect to Grape Street,
Construction of auxiliary and deceleration lanes on I-15, and
Construction of improved pedestrian and bicycle facilities near the interchange.

Recognizing the economic and population growth in the Lake Elsinore area and increasing traffic volumes on I-15 and Railroad Canyon Road, RCTC sought these competitive dollars from the Local Partnership Program, a new funding source made possible by Senate Bill 1, also known as the Road Repair and Accountability Act of 2017. This legislation increased motor fuel taxes and vehicle fees to pay for transportation improvements across California. The Local Partnership Program provides incentive grants to government agencies that have enacted their own local “self-help” transportation taxes or fees. Riverside County voters approved such a self-help revenue source – Measure A, a half-cent sales tax for local transportation improvements – making the region eligible to receive this new state funding.

The award for I-15/Railroad Canyon Road interchange adds to the list of projects in Riverside County now able to advance, due to the new gas tax funds and fees.

Construction at the interchange can begin in early 2020 with all funding necessary now secured. However, an initiative petition is currently in circulation to repeal the taxes and fees. If the initiative petition qualifies for the ballot and is approved by a majority of voters, the I-15/Railroad Canyon Road interchange project, as well as other projects funded by this source, will have insufficient funding to be completed.

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