The Riverside County Transportation Commission will not seek a new transportation sales tax measure this year to fund projects in the 2024 Traffic Relief Plan, according to RCTC's The Point.
"After extensive public outreach and evaluation of the transportation needs across Riverside County, the Commission has decided that 2024 is not the year to ask Riverside County residents to approve a one-cent sales tax measure to fund transportation projects and services outlined in the Commission-approved 2024 Traffic Relief Plan."
The TRP was developed over a years-long public input effort with Riverside County residents identifying over $30 billion in needed transportation improvements in communities across Riverside County.
"The Traffic Relief Plan shows that we are listening to our residents and looking for ways to reduce traffic congestion, invest in public transportation, fill potholes, and respond to natural disasters to keep our roads safe," said Lloyd White, RCTC Chair Lloyd and Beaumont City Council Member. "Now is not the time to seek voter approval on a new measure to fund the Traffic Relief Plan, but I think the time is coming soon."
While the Commission was informed at its July 10 meeting that there is significant countywide public support to fund transportation projects, the high public support is just shy of the two-thirds voter approval threshold required by law to pass a sales tax measure in Riverside County. What has remained consistent throughout years of public engagement is that around 80% of Riverside County voters believe there is at least some need for funding to solve the region's transportation issues.
The TRP's proactive framework was designed to meet the region's transportation needs based on the anticipated population and economic growth as predicted by the Southern California Association of Governments (SCAG). Although the Commission has decided not to place a sales tax measure on the 2024 General Election ballot, the improvements and investments identified in the TRP are ready to be implemented when funding becomes available.
Those projects include the Coachella Valley Rail, I-15 Express Lanes Southern Extension, Perris Valley Line Double Tracking, and the Mid-County Parkway Ramona Expressway, which continue to make strides under the current funding levels.
RCTC reports with the Labor Day weekend behind the first weekend of September, specialized work will resume on Highway 60 between Beaumont and Moreno Valley. On Friday Sept. 6 there may be crews working with alternating lane changes, but no detours will be necessary so please allow for extra travel time between 9 p.m. to 6 a.m. that night.
The new truck lanes project has been completed but some cleanup work remains on the roadway.
Caltrans contractor crews continue their work on the Morrill Canyon Bridge located east of County Line, between Ortega Oaks Candy Store and Tenaja Truck Trail. Caltrans reports that there may be a full 55-hour weekend closure of Highway 74 at the Candy Store and Tenaja Truck Trail near the bridge site on Sept. 13 through Sept. 15 at 6 a.m. The work may be required to perform k-rail installation, structure work, HMA paving, excavation, abutment and other work activities. Weekday work may also occur. All work is weather and material dependent meaning delays and changes may occur in the work schedule.
Residents and commuters must take alternate routes to go around the closure. Drivers from the Orange County side will not be permitted through the work zone to reach Tenaja Truck Trail or east to the Riverside County side of the route. Residents west of Tenaja Truck Trail, including Ortega Oaks RV Park and Campground and the Candy Store, will be directed to the Orange County side of the route.
Residents at Tenaja Truck Trail and east, will be directed to enter and exit the route via the Lake Elsinore side. During above mentioned work hours, the route will be closed to through traffic. Emergency response vehicles only will be permitted through the work zone.
Motorists and residents are advised they may experience long delays due to construction operations. Please obey all posted signs and traffic instructions, as CHP will be on location and citing any offenders. Subscribe to receive weekly updates or visit https://roads.dot.ca.gov.
Caltrans contractors will be performing daytime work near the cities of Menifee and Murrieta on Interstate 215. The daytime work is scheduled from Tuesday to Friday, between 7 a.m. and 4 p.m. Shoulder closures will be in effect, but commuter access will still be available. The project aims to improve road surface, update shoulder rumble strips, enhance culverts, upgrade guardrails, stabilize slopes, and boost highway worker safety along the stretch near Murrieta, from one mile north of Clinton Keith Road to one mile north of Newport Road.
Construction crews will undertake various tasks such as clearing the roadside, improving landscaping, replacing chain-link fences, excavating for rock blankets, and completing additional assignments. Shoulder closures will be in effect throughout the project area. Despite the shoulder closures, commuter access will remain open.
Caltrans continues work on the $51.6 million corridor improvement project on State Route 74 (Florida Ave.), in Hemet. This project will repave and rehabilitate 49 lane miles, install Traffic Management Systems (TMS), upgrade curb ramps, sidewalks and driveways to ADA (Americans with Disabilities Act) standards, enhance bike lane signage and striping, and upgrade 29 bus pads within the project parameters. Weather permitting. Work zone is in and near Hemet on SR-74 from Winchester Road (PM 34.3) to Fairview Avenue (PM 45.1) for a project length of 11.2 miles. Driveway, curb ramp, sidewalk construction and micro trenching will take place. Watch for alternate route signage for business access. Hours of operation nightly are Sunday through Thursday 8 p.m. to 5 a.m. Night work ends Friday morning. Daily hours are Monday through Friday 6 a.m. to 4 p.m. Winchester Rd. to Lyon Ave. Paving operations are taking place during the night. SR-74 will remain open during construction. Flagging operations will be primarily at night. Radar detection signs will be in place. Expect delays up to 15 minutes. There will be intermittent, short-term closures for equipment relocation and construction staging purposes.
Caltrans added that entry areas with more than one driveway access will close only one driveway at a time and direct traffic to other accessible entry points. Entry areas with single driveway access will be constructed in two phases, closing one half of the driveway at a time, to keep entry access open at all times. Watch for the detour signs to take you to your location inside the driveway areas. Sidewalks and pedestrians will also be affected during ADA curb ramp construction.
The Strawberry Creek Bridge project on Highway 74 leading from Hemet to Mountain Center continues with the temporary traffic signal operational. Use caution and obey the traffic signal as only one lane will be open in that area.
Caltrans reports while there is no work scheduled this week on Highway 371 or Highway 79, there may be some road widening projects coming on those roadways. Be alert for notices of that work.