SB 1 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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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.

The post California Voters Approve Proposition 69 to Protect Transportation Funding appeared first on Riverside County Transportation Commission (RCTC).

RCTC Supports Protecting and Maintaining New Transportation Revenues

RCTC — Fri, 09 Feb 2018 21:22:19 +0000

The Point: Without SB 1 funds, new projects, road maintenance and jobs in Riverside County will be in jeopardy

The Riverside County Transportation Commission voted January 25 by a 19-3 vote to oppose the repeal of Senate Bill 1 (SB 1), which will provide over $113 million annually to Riverside County for road maintenance, public transit, and local priority transportation projects. SB 1 also provides opportunities for Riverside County to compete for additional funds to reduce highway congestion, build infrastructure to support trade and commerce, and expand rail and bus transit. The Commission has previously supported numerous similar measures intended to restrict expenditure of transportation revenues to transportation purposes only. These new transportation funds are generated through increased taxes on motor fuels and vehicle fees, which took effect November 1, 2017.

The Commission also voted to support Proposition 69 (also known as Assembly Constitutional Amendment 5), which would provide constitutional protection for all new transportation revenues generated by SB 1. If Prop. 69 is approved by a majority of California voters in the June 5, 2018 Primary Election, the State Legislature and Governor would be prohibited from borrowing or diverting SB 1 revenues. The Commission has previously supported numerous similar measures intended to restrict expenditure of transportation revenues to transportation purposes only.

SB 1 funds have already been committed to Riverside County. Under the law, each city and the County of Riverside receives an annual sum of SB 1 funds to repair and maintain existing local roads; the projects receiving these funds are reviewed and approved in public meetings by city councils and the Board of Supervisors, and are disclosed at this state website. In general, local governments in Riverside County will see their budget for filling potholes and fixing local streets nearly double.

Annual Local Street & Road funding estimated for each city in Riverside County.

These maps show ten projects that have already received funding as well as projects that are nominated by RCTC for funding through the California Transportation Commission.

It is no secret that Riverside County roads are in need of repair and are heavily congested, adding time and cost burdens on Riverside County residents and businesses. According to RCTC’s 2016 Strategic Assessment, Riverside County faces a gap between transportation needs and available funding of approximately $12.6 billion through 2039. If SB 1 is repealed, the funding gap will widen to at least $15.8 billion in this same period. Further, Measure A, Riverside County’s voter-approved half-cent sales tax for transportation improvements, relies upon adequate state and federal funding to match Measure A funds. SB 1 represents a substantial amount of the state funds presumed necessary to fulfill Measure A’s commitments to Riverside County voters.

Organized efforts are underway to gather signatures to place an initiative on the November 6, 2018 General Election statewide ballot to repeal SB 1 and requires the Legislature to submit to the voters any increase in specified vehicle fees or gas or diesel taxes.

Several Commissioners expressed reservations about taxes and skepticism of state government. Commissioners also voiced the growing need for funds to make transportation improvements in local communities. Others said that voters should have a say in whether gas taxes should be raised.

For information about SB 1, click here.

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