A local strategy to improve traf/f_ic /f_low, safety, and economic opportunity in Riverside County
TRAFFIC RELIEF PLAN
2024 DRAFT UPDA TE
2024 Draft Traffic Relief Plan
Table of Contents
Overview of the Traffic Relief Plan ...................................................................................................2 Accountability to Taxpayers .............................................................................................................3 Equity Among Regions and Residents ............................................................................................4 Traffic Relief Plan: Your Guide to Projects and Services ..................................................................5 Palo Verde Valley (Blythe) ................................................................................................................6 Coachella Valley ..............................................................................................................................7 Western Riverside County .............................................................................................................12
TRAFFIC RELIEF PLAN
Your Voice. Your Plan.
The Traffic Relief Plan is a local strategy to reduce
traffic bottlenecks, improve safety, and help
create a stronger, more sustainable economy for
our communities.
Residents across Riverside County have
expressed thoughts about how to improve
transportation in Riverside County. From
freeways that move faster, to safer roads
with fewer potholes, to more available public
transportation, and protecting our infrastructure
from natural hazards like floods and earthquakes,
you told us that these improvements will make a
difference to your life.
We’ve listened.
Highlights of the Traffic Relief Plan include:
• Improving freeway traffic flow on I-10, I-15,
I-215, State Route 60, and State Route 91.
• Improving traffic flow and safety on major
roads including but not limited to Temescal
Canyon Road, Cajalco Road, Ramona
Expressway, Gilman Springs Road, Grand
Avenue, Bob Hope Drive, Fred Waring Drive,
Highway 111, and Indian Canyon Drive.
• Improving the condition of existing roads
by providing funds for basic pothole repairs,
paving dirt roads, and synchronizing signals
throughout Riverside County.
• Adding sidewalks and safety
improvements for pedestrians,
equestrians, and bicyclists.
• Increasing frequency of and access to bus
and rail public transportation by adding
new tracks, new stations, more trains, more
bus service, bus shelters, safety and security
measures, and technology to make public
transit safer and more reliable.
• Bringing daily rail service to the Coachella
Valley and San Gorgonio Pass from Los
Angeles, Orange County, and Riverside.
• Connecting Riverside County by
accelerating completion of a new east-west
corridor between Perris and San Jacinto
called the Mid County Parkway, building the
long-awaited realignment of State Route 79
from the Temecula Valley through Hemet and
San Jacinto, widening and improving safety
on Cajalco Road, roadway improvements
between Lake Elsinore and Perris to shorten
commutes on I-15 and I-215, and a bypass
to I-10 east of Banning toward the Coachella
Valley.
• Providing more independence and
opportunity for residents who rely on public
transportation services, such as seniors,
veterans, individuals with disabilities,
students, residents of rural communities,
and those who choose to use public
transportation.
• Using new technologies that can improve
the efficiency and safety of the current
roadway and public transit systems, paving
the way for the future.
Voter Approval: This Traffic Relief Plan was
drafted to serve as an expenditure plan for a
possible voter-approved sales tax measure. Until
a sales tax measure to fund the Plan is placed
before the voters and approved, the Plan is
aspirational, and the financial and other mandatory
requirements of the Plan are not operative.
Questions?
Questions? If you have questions about the Traffic
Relief Plan, please contact the Riverside County
Transportation Commission at [email protected] or
951-787-7141.
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OVERVIEW OF THE TRAFFIC RELIEF PLAN
Independent Audits Required
Upon voter approval of a revenue source for the
Plan, no less than annually, RCTC will obtain an
independent financial audit. The audit will be
published on the internet.
Efficiency and Local Control
Local Voice. Local Control.
Riverside County voters will enact the Plan, which
will then be implemented through their locally
elected representatives and local public works
professionals. By law, the Plan is implemented
by RCTC, which is governed by local city council
members or mayors of every city and all five
members of the County Board of Supervisors.
No Money Diverted to Sacramento or
Washington D.C.
State and federal governments cannot legally
divert, take, or direct funds raised through this
local Plan and its governing ordinance.
Fiscal Accountability and Efficiency.
Administrative salaries and benefits to administer
the Plan are limited to no more than 1% of net
revenues generated under the Plan’s governing
ordinance. Implementation of this Plan will not
require the creation of any new government
entity. To achieve efficiency and local control,
RCTC may delegate appropriate responsibilities
for administering components of the Plan to
existing local governments at its discretion.
Transparency and Openness
Implementation of the Plan will occur in
compliance with all transparency, disclosure, and
open meetings laws.
Mandatory Plan Review and Updates
Through a public process, RCTC must formally
review this Plan at least every 10 years after
it takes effect to ensure the Plan reflects the
current and anticipated future needs of Riverside
County’s residents. If RCTC wishes to amend
the Plan after its review or at any other point in
time, RCTC must follow current state law and this
Plan’s voter-approved governing ordinance to
do so.
Flexibility to Expedite Projects
RCTC may issue bonds or other debt against
future revenue to achieve any objectives
of the Plan and to expedite completion of
projects. RCTC will issue bonds or other debt in
accordance with applicable laws. The issuances
of bonds or other debt will undergo a feasibility
analysis to ensure the lowest borrowing
costs are incurred while repayment terms are
advantageous.
To expedite priority projects and services, reduce
costs to taxpayers, or avoid loss of other funding,
RCTC may make maximum use of funds by
temporarily loaning funds between transportation
purposes set forth in the Plan. In borrowing and
making loans, the proportionate shares for areas
and purposes over the duration of the Plan may
not be changed without an amendment of the
Plan as required by law.
Maintenance of Effort
Funds received by cities and the County shall
supplement existing local revenues and required
developer improvements used for transportation
purposes. As a condition of receiving funds,
cities and the County shall maintain their existing
commitment of local funds for transportation
purposes. Environmental mitigation funds
provided for land conservation shall supplement
and shall not supplant existing mitigation fees
paid by developers.
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ACCOUNT ABILITY TO T AXPA YERS
Equity Among Regions and Residents
Many residents of Riverside County live in areas
that lack infrastructure and public transportation
services. A growing number of residents face
increasing traffic congestion. Therefore, the
Traffic Relief Plan commits to providing equity for
Riverside County residents in the following ways:
Geography
The Traffic Relief Plan recognizes the three
distinct subregions of Riverside County and
ensures that revenues raised by the Plan in each
subregion remain there and cannot be moved to
other parts of the county:
• Palo V erde Valley (Blythe area)
• Coachel la Valley
• W estern Riverside County (Riverside and
Corona areas, Moreno Valley and Perris
areas, Hemet-San Jacinto Valley, San
Gorgonio Pass, and Temecula-Murrieta-Lake
Elsinore areas)
Small, Rural, Disadvantaged Communities
Prioritization of investments shall take into
account the needs of residents in small, rural, and
disadvantaged communities in Riverside County.
Mitigation Vehicle Miles Traveled (VMT)
The Traffic Relief Plan mitigates VMT with
VMT-reducing projects and services funded by
multiple aspects of this Plan.
Decisions Based On Needs
Priority for investments in areas requiring
significant infrastructure repairs and upgrades
and public transportation will be determined
based on objective needs.
New Funding for All Communities in
Riverside County
All communities will have access to new
funding to keep local streets and roads in good
condition.
Increased Transportation Options for
Residents
The Traffic Relief Plan places significant focus
on seniors, students, veterans, individuals
with disabilities, and residents of rural and
underserved communities who use public
transportation regularly.
Balanced Transportation System
The Traffic Relief Plan recognizes all types of
transportation needs for Riverside County.
Proactively addressing the transportation issues
in Riverside County requires a flexible and a
comprehensive approach.
Compliance with the California Environmental Quality Act The Traffic Relief Plan is not a “project” under the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA) and, therefore, is exempt from CEQA review. This is because the Plan is designed to provide a funding mechanism for potential future projects and programs related to the Commission’s provision of transportation services. However, the Commission is not approving the construction of any projects that may result in a direct or indirect physical change in the environment; future voter approval is required prior to establishing any funding mechanism as set forth in Public Utilities Code Section 240301; and all appropriate state and federal environmental review will be required and completed prior to any future approval of specific projects. 4 2024 Draft Traffic Relief Plan
EQUITY AMONG REGIONS AND RESIDENTS
Investment Types
The Plan includes eight investment types. In the Coachella Valley, all investment types are funded through the valleywide Transportation Project Prioritization Study (TPPS). In Western Riverside County, a specific percentage of funding is reserved for each investment type, with several sub-types. In the Palo Verde Valley (Blythe), funds can be used on any investment type below.
Safe Streets and Roads – Pothole repair and road maintenance; sidewalks and pedestrian safety infrastructure; protected bicycle lanes; roadway improvements in high-accident areas; bus shelters; bridge repairs; improvements to railroad crossings, including bridges to separate roads from railroad tracks; traffic calming measures; bypass roads; median barriers; protecting roads, sidewalks, and bicycle facilities from flooding and other natural hazards; traffic signals, including technology to synchronize and interconnect signals; improvements to provide accessibility for persons with disabilities.
Highways – Improving traffic flow on State Routes 60, 91, 111 and Interstates 10, 15, and 215 by constructing new lanes, improving highway interchanges (on- and off-ramps and bridges) and public transportation facilities, and utilizing innovative technologies.
Public Transportation – Increasing frequency and safety of trains and buses; building new tracks, parking, and stations; extending rail service from Perris to Hemet and San Jacinto; extending rail service to the Coachella Valley and San Gorgonio Pass (Banning/Beaumont/Calimesa/Cabazon area); sustaining operation of rail service throughout the county; expanding bus service options including rapid/express buses; on-demand transit options known as “micro-transit;” modernizing and adding zero-emission buses; providing targeted transit services and keeping bus fares low for seniors, veterans, students, and individuals with disabilities; upgrading bus stops and amenities; and improving connections between home, school, and employment centers.
Regional Connections – Constructing multi-modal transportation corridors that connect parts of Riverside County, relieving congestion on existing highways and local roads, improving safety such as realigning State Route 79, creating a bypass to I-10 east of Banning toward Coachella Valley, improving Cajalco Road, completing Mid County Parkway (Ramona Expressway), and providing a new Elsinore-Ethanac Expressway.
Commuter Assistance – Expanding Freeway Service Patrol roadside assistance, maintaining and expanding carpool/vanpool service and Park & Ride lots, and partnering with employers to create incentives for alternative commute methods.
Active Transportation – Improving safety and expanding access to pedestrian and bicycle facilities such as sidewalks and bicycle lanes, in addition to improving and expanding recreational trails and access to open spaces and natural areas.
Flood and Blowsand Control – Reinforcing roadways and infrastructure against natural hazards in the Coachella Valley.
Environmental Mitigation – To construct the traffic relief improvements in this Plan, mitigation will be required, while other community mitigation will be provided to preserve and improve quality of living, particularly in disadvantaged communities. Additionally, public infrastructure is increasingly under threat from natural disasters. Further, population growth and development puts pressure on natural areas that make Riverside County a desirable place to live. To achieve balanced growth of the region, ensure transportation projects can move forward, withstand natural hazards, and provide for a high quality of living for current and future generations of Riverside County residents, the Traffic Relief Plan makes meaningful commitments to environmental stewardship.
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TRAFFIC RELIEF PLAN:
YOUR GUIDE TO PROJECTS & SERVICES
The Palo Verde Valley component of the Traffic
Relief Plan calls for improvements to all aspects
of local transportation. All revenues generated
in the Palo Verde Valley will remain in the Palo
Verde Valley, with all revenue returned directly
to the City of Blythe and County of Riverside.
The Blythe City Council will have authority to set
priorities and expend funds within the city limits
and the County Board of Supervisors will have
authority to expend funds in unincorporated
areas of the Palo Verde Valley.
Investments made by the City of Blythe and
County must be for transportation purposes for
the benefit of Palo Verde Valley residents and
must be approved in an open and transparent
manner pursuant to open meetings laws. All
revenues generated through the Traffic Relief
Plan in the Palo Verde Valley shall remain in the
Palo Verde Valley and cannot be diverted to
other areas of Riverside County.
To address transportation needs in rural areas,
such as the Palo Verde Valley, and to strengthen
the agricultural economy and tourism, new
investments will focus on:
• Safety and maintenance of local str eets and
roads
• Ensuring publ ic infrastructure complies with
the Americans with Disabilities Act
• Closing sidewal k gaps and enhancing bike
lanes for improved pedestrian access to and
from schools
• Impr oving the condition of interchanges
at Interstate 10, including landscaping and
gateway enhancements
• Establ ishing a new vanpool program for
residents commuting to major employment
areas, such as Ironwood and Chuckawalla
Valley prisons, Coachella Valley, and Arizona
• Pr oviding reduced- or free-fare public transit
to increase access to education, healthcare,
employment, and services
• Replacing and expand ing the bus fleet
to improve air quality with low- and zero-
emission vehicles
• Upgrad ing transit operating and
maintenance facilities to maintain transit
vehicles and infrastructure in good condition
• Incr easing frequency and expanding public
transit options for education, healthcare,
employment, and services in underserved
neighborhoods
Transportation investments through the Plan will
also serve as a driver for economic development
in the community. Improving the transportation
network will leverage other public and private
investments and encourage new businesses to
invest.
Rancho
Mirage
Palm
Springs
Palm
Desert Indian
Wells
La Quinta
Indio
Desert
Hot Springs
Coachella
Cathedral
City
Ramon Rd
Varner Rd
Fred Waring Dr
Country Club Dr
Dinah Shore Dr
Dillon Rd
Vista ChinoGene Autry Trail
E Palm Canyon Dr
Avenue 54
Airport Blvd
Avenue 60
Avenue 66 Box Canyon Rd
Avenue 48
Avenue 50
Washington St
Cook StPortola AveMonterey AveBob Hope Dr
Date Palm Dr
Palm Dr
Little Morongo Rd
Indian Canyon Dr
Sunrise Way
Monroe St
Jefferson St
Jackson St
Palm Springs
International Airport
El Paseo
Shopping District
The Living
Desert Zoo
& Gardens
Indian Wells
Tennis Garden
Polo
Grounds
Agua Caliente
Resort Casino Spa
Joshua Tree National Park
UC Riverside
Palm Desert
Campus
Fantasy
Springs
Resort
Casino
Spotlight 29 Casino
CSUSB
Palm Desert
Campus
Palm Springs
Aerial Tramway
10 INTERSTATE
CALIFORNIA
10 INTERSTATE
CALIFORNIA
111
74 86
86 62
111
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TRAFFIC RELIEF PLAN:
PALO VERDE V ALLEY
Rancho
Mirage
Palm
Springs
Palm
Desert Indian
Wells
La Quinta
Indio
Desert
Hot Springs
Coachella
Cathedral
City
Ramon Rd
Varner Rd
Fred Waring Dr
Country Club Dr
Dinah Shore Dr
Dillon Rd
Vista ChinoGene Autry Trail
E Palm Canyon Dr
Avenue 54
Airport Blvd
Avenue 60
Avenue 66 Box Canyon Rd
Avenue 48
Avenue 50
Washington St
Cook StPortola AveMonterey AveBob Hope Dr
Date Palm Dr
Palm Dr
Little Morongo Rd
Indian Canyon Dr
Sunrise Way
Monroe St
Jefferson St
Jackson St
Palm Springs
International Airport
El Paseo
Shopping District
The Living
Desert Zoo
& Gardens
Indian Wells
Tennis Garden
Polo
Grounds
Agua Caliente
Resort Casino Spa
Joshua Tree National Park
UC Riverside
Palm Desert
Campus
Fantasy
Springs
Resort
Casino
Spotlight 29 Casino
CSUSB
Palm Desert
Campus
Palm Springs
Aerial Tramway
10 INTERSTATE
CALIFORNIA
10 INTERSTATE
CALIFORNIA
111
74 86
86 62
111
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TRAFFIC RELIEF: COACHELLA V ALLEY
This map is illustrative of projects that could be completed. 7 2024 Draft Traffic Relief Plan
TRAFFIC RELIEF: COACHELLA V ALLEY
The Coachella Valley component of the Traffic Relief Plan calls for improvements to all aspects of local and regional transportation systems in the Coachella Valley. The Coachella Valley Association of Governments (CVAG) will administer the Plan in the Coachella Valley. CVAG is a public agency governed by an Executive Committee consisting of the mayor or an elected official representing every city council in the Coachella Valley and the City of Blythe, all five County Supervisors, and the Tribal Chairs from the Agua Caliente Band of Cahuilla Indians, Cabazon Band of Cahuilla Indians, Torres Martinez Desert Cahuilla Indians, and Twenty-Nine Palms Band of Mission Indians.
Funds Generated in the Coachella Valley Stay in the Coachella Valley All revenues generated under the Plan in the Coachella Valley will remain in the Coachella Valley for expenditure. Funding will provide investments for projects in communities that fully participate in, and are compliant with, the Coachella Valley’s Transportation Uniform Mitigation Fee (TUMF) and the procedures approved by the Coachella Valley Conservation Commission for the Coachella Valley Multiple Species Habitat Conservation Plan (CVMSHCP). While this section uses the same library of icons seen throughout the Plan, most Coachella Valley projects, improvements, and programs may fall within multiple subject areas as they have multiple benefits.
Establishing and Updating
Regional Priorities
Since 1989, CVAG has been entrusted to
manage the regional transportation network.
CVAG establishes its priorities according to the
Transportation Project Prioritization Study (TPPS),
which is a merit-based method of prioritizing all
regional projects in the Coachella Valley. Project
priorities are based on criteria adopted by the
CVAG Executive Committee, as recommended by
civil engineers and public works professionals, and
publicly reviewed by elected officials representing
every CVAG member jurisdiction. The TPPS is
updated every few years as the Coachella Valley’s
population grows and becomes more diverse in
order to address different mobility needs, new
technologies, state and federal policy as well as
worldwide climate and economic trends.
Funding for TPPS projects follow CVAG’s cost-
splitting policy that requires a local match
to unlock regional funding. Local funding
is an element of the Maintenance of Effort
requirements employed by RCTC and CVAG.
CVAG will continue to work with RCTC to ensure
new regional funding resources do not supplant
current funding and commitments; rather the
funding pie grows larger for all. In addition to
overall mobility related goals described under this
Plan, the TPPS process shall include the following
objectives:
• Achieve balance and equity
• Achieve cl imate resiliency
• Pr ovide economic opportunities
• Addr ess statewide and regional housing needs
by supporting transit-oriented development
and affordable housing
• Addr ess safety by continually reducing serious
accidents and fatalities on the roadways
• Reduce V ehicle Miles Traveled (VMT)
• Pr omote public health and safety, including
improving air quality
The TPPS includes upgraded, safer, and more
accessible regional roadways and bridges.
These regional multi-modal facilities connect the
Coachella Valley and ensure the transportation
network helps support a stronger, more
sustainable economy for the community. Some of
the arterials and other roads that will continue to
be improved are depicted on the map and listed
at the end of this section.
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TRAFFIC RELIEF: COACHELLA V ALLEY
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Highways
The TPPS has included projects to substantially improve connections to federal and state freeways and highways, particularly Interstate 10, Highway 111 and State Route 86. Upgrades to existing interchanges as well as new interchanges are planned and are awaiting funding to be constructed.
This Plan will also allow for improvements such as managed lanes or toll lanes on I-10. Such facilities will make it easier and safer to travel along Interstate 10. Additionally, the plan will include grade separations for State Route 86, including a new bridge at Avenue 50, and improving other areas where high numbers of accidents and fatalities occur. The TPPS process is flexible enough to incorporate improvements to connecting regions, including Highway 62 and Highway 74.
Additionally, the Plan includes funding to substantially improve the overall condition of these roads as CVAG works in partnership with Caltrans.
Regional Connections
To catch up with and prepare for continued population growth, the TPPS identifies regional corridors in every community of the Coachella Valley. It also will expand to address new needs, such as an I-10 bypass and extending Avenue 50 between I-10 and State Route 86 to reduce traffic gridlock on existing highways, improve safety, open economic opportunities to disadvantaged communities, and reduce the miles traveled by drivers who must drive inefficient routes to get from one end of the region to another.
Active Transportation
This Plan and the TPPS include active transportation projects that make it easier and more accessible for people to walk or bike safely. In the Coachella Valley, eligible improvements often accommodate electric vehicles such as golf carts and low-speed electric vehicles, which are part of a multifaceted approach to meet varying degrees of mobility and independence among seniors, individuals with disabilities and underserved communities. Such projects may be stand-alone projects, such as CV Link extensions to North Shore and Desert Hot Springs, and others may expand on the existing active transportation network, such as the Palm Desert Link and bike improvements to the La Quinta village. It also may include incorporating active transportation into the design of complete streets and creating multi-modal connections, such as improvements along Dillon Road. Linking such projects to public transportation and facilitating first mile, last mile connectivity shall be a priority.
Public Transportation
Public transportation investments, such as CV Rail, is an utmost priority in this Plan. Many of the improvements needed to create consistent service between the Coachella Valley and Los Angeles have already been identified and are awaiting funding to be constructed. With Plan funding, the TPPS will be updated to include CV Rail and a fair share “local commitment” from the Coachella Valley for rail investments and operational costs of CV Rail and train stations. Those investments will be paired with investments from the Western Riverside component of this plan to match federal and state funding. It also will facilitate the movement of goods along the rail lines, which is critical to economic opportunities. Under the TPPS update process, additional benefits to public transportation can be considered, such as transit priority lanes for buses, zero-emission buses and transit facilities, and bus shelters that are sustainable and enhance the passenger experience. The Plan will also support public transportation options for veterans, individuals with disabilities, seniors, students, and disadvantaged communities, including improving access and keeping these transit options affordable.
9 2024 Draft Traffic Relief Plan
TRAFFIC RELIEF: COACHELLA V ALLEY
Safe Streets and Roads
The Coachella Valley portion of the Plan will also fund operations and maintenance (O&M) of regional transportation corridors as identified in the TPPS. The CVAG regional O&M program will support operations, repairs, and replacement of traffic management systems, pavement surfaces (e.g., pothole repair), and traffic control devices. Identical to other projects in the TPPS, the O&M plan would follow a formula and approach to ensure the regional investment enhances, not replaces, investments being made by local cities and Riverside County. This plan includes funding to improve the aesthetic appeal of major corridors and gateways in the Coachella Valley, particularly Interstate 10 and Highway 86. The Coachella Valley corridors and gateways should better reflect the desert’s unique characteristics and appeal to visitors and residents alike. Additionally, the O&M program will enhance existing efforts to promote uniform standards, keep transportation infrastructure in good condition, and extend the life cycle of Coachella Valley’s transportation infrastructure. Regional corridors and gateways span cities and unincorporated communities and include, but are not limited to:
• Interstate 10
• Highway 111
• Ramon Road
• Cook Str eet
• Fr ed Waring Drive
• Gene Autry T rail/Palm Drive
• Ind io Boulevard
• Highway 86
• W ashington Street
• Monter ey Avenue
• Bob Hope Drive
• Dinah Shor e Drive
• Date Palm Drive
• Lit tle Morongo Road
• A venue 50
CVAG regularly reviews and amends the TPPS to incorporate new and innovative strategies that help reduce traffic congestion and increase economic productivity. The TPPS embraces regional mobility concepts and technologies such as signal synchronization and Intelligent Transportation System (ITS) technologies, which better connect the Coachella Valley’s workforce to the workplace and reduce seasonal and traffic bottlenecks related to major events. Such concepts are also employed during emergencies to ensure access to hospitals and the best mobility possible for first responders and emergency vehicles. ITS technologies will allow for bus priority or transit signal priority to improve service and reduce delay for mass transit vehicles at intersections on regional corridors. Technologies that eliminate or reduce vehicle miles travelled, vehicle trips, and lay the groundwork for high-speed broadband access, will also be a priority.
Flood & Blowsand Control
Building bridges and other resilient infrastructure is a very high priority in the Coachella Valley. Critical roads, such as Indian Canyon, Gene Autry Trail, and Dillon Road are regularly closed due to blowsand and rainstorms. With increasing frequency, there are prolonged closures and roads are destroyed during major rain events in the communities of Palm Springs, Desert Hot Springs, and Cathedral City. Such flood impacts can occur anywhere in the Coachella Valley but are often associated with areas that have not had similar flood control and road investments in the past, such as the eastern Coachella Valley. Projects to address the persistent flooding along Box Canyon Drive and other areas will be included in this Plan and future TPPS updates.
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TRAFFIC RELIEF: COACHELLA V ALLEY
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Commuter Assistance
Freeway Service Patrol will be expanded to I-10 in the Coachella Valley to quickly clear incidents from the freeway. Investments will be made in partnering with employers in the Coachella Valley to encourage alternative forms of commuting as a means to reduce congestion and improve air quality and safety.
Environmental Mitigation
Population growth and development puts pressure on open spaces and natural areas, such as the sand dunes and mountains, that make the Coachella Valley a desirable place to live.
Consistent with the approach in Western Riverside County, a minimum of 12.5% of annual revenues shall be allocated, at the discretion of CVAG, to preserve the Coachella Valley’s natural areas, including fulfillment of the Coachella Valley Multiple Species Habitat Conservation Plan (CVMSHCP). CVAG shall allocate sufficient revenues set-aside for the above purposes to the Coachella Valley Conservation Commission (CVCC) for habitat acquisition and/or endowment purposes until the CVMSHCP reserve assembly and endowment obligations are met to fill any funding gaps for the long-term administration, land management, and monitoring of the CVMSHCP . Funding related to this Plan shall not relieve any Permittees under the MSHCPs of their pre-existing obligations to the fulfillment of the CVMSHCP . Funding for these programs has an inherent benefit to the environment but also helps expedite permitting and completion of transportation projects.
11 2024 Draft Traffic Relief Plan
TRAFFIC RELIEF: COACHELLA V ALLEY
Wildomar
Canyon Lake
Lake Elsinore
Menifee
Eastvale
Temecula
Lake
Mathews
Lake
Elsinore
Canyon
Lake
Lake
Perris
Vail
Lake
Murrieta
San
Jacinto
Perris
Moreno Valley
Highland
Hemet
Beaumont Banning Cabazon
Rialto
Rancho
Cucamonga
Norco
Jurupa
Valley
Fontana
Corona
Claremont
Riverside
Calimesa
Diamond Valley
Lake
RIVERSIDE CO.
ORANGE CO.
RIVERSIDE CO.
SAN DIEGO CO.
SAN BERNARDINO CO.
RIVERSIDE CO.
241
259
71 30
91 74
74 74
74 60
10 INTERSTATE
CALIFORNIA
10 INTERSTATE
CALIFORNIA
215
INTERSTATE
CALIFORNIA
215
INTERSTATE
CALIFORNIA
15 INTERSTATE
CALIFORNIA
10 INTERSTATE
CALIFORNIA
371
111
243
74 79
79 38
15 INTERSTATE
CALIFORNIA
215
INTERSTATE
CALIFORNIA
60 10
INTERSTATE
CALIFORNIA
91 15
INTERSTATE
CALIFORNIA
60 215
INTERSTATE
CALIFORNIA
79 Public
Transportation
Safe Streets
& Roads
Active
Transportation
Environmental
Mitigation
Flood &
Blowsand
Control
New TechnologyCommuter
Assistance
Highways Regional
Connections
Public
Transportation
Safe Streets
& Roads
Active
Transportation
Environmental
Mitigation
Flood &
Blowsand
Control
New TechnologyCommuter
Assistance
Highways Regional
Connections
This map is illustrative of projects that could be completed. 12 2024 Draft Traffic Relief Plan
TRAFFIC RELIEF: WESTERN RIVERSIDE COUNTY
Safe Streets and
Roads
Every city and the unincorporated
communities of western Riverside
County is guaranteed to receive
its fair share of funds for safety improvements
to local streets and roads and pedestrian and
bicycle facilities. Additionally, major roadways
that connect the region will receive funds to
implement safety improvements that will reduce
accidents, injuries, and fatalities, as well as
provide emergency relief to regional corridors
with few or no alternative routes.
Half of the funds for Safe Streets and Roads will
be distributed by formula (based on population)
to each city and the County of Riverside for
unincorporated communities. Half of the funds
will be distributed by RCTC to major regional
safety projects.
Improvements funded from this program include:
• Pot hole repair and road maintenance
• Sidewal ks and pedestrian safety infrastructure
• Pr otected bicycle lanes
• Roadway impr ovements in high-accident
areas
• Bus shel ters
• Bridge r epairs
• Impr ovements to railroad crossings, including
bridges to separate roads from railroad tracks
• T raffic calming measures
• Bypass r oads
• Med ian barriers
More Bus Service,
40%
Commuter Assistance, 2%
Safe Streets and Roads, 8%
Public Transportation, 25%
Active Transportation, 3%
Environmental Mitigation, 25%
Regional Connections, 12%
Road Improvements,
60%
Highways, 25%
Western Riverside County Traffic Relief Investments
Public
Transportation
Safe Streets
& Roads
Active
Transportation
Environmental
Mitigation
Flood &
Blowsand
Control
New TechnologyCommuter
Assistance
Highways Regional
Connections
Public
Transportation
Safe Streets
& Roads
Active
Transportation
Environmental
Mitigation
Flood &
Blowsand
Control
New TechnologyCommuter
Assistance
Highways Regional
Connections
Public
Transportation
Safe Streets
& Roads
Active
Transportation
Environmental
Mitigation
Flood &
Blowsand
Control
New TechnologyCommuter
Assistance
Highways Regional
Connections
13 2024 Draft Traffic Relief Plan
TRAFFIC RELIEF: WESTERN RIVERSIDE COUNTY
• Pr otecting roads, sidewalks, and bicycle
facilities from flooding and other natural
hazards
• T raffic signals, including technology to
synchronize and interconnect signals
• Impr ovements to provide accessibility for
persons with disabilities
Specific regional corridors that could receive
funding for safety improvements include:
• Cajalco Road
• Gilman Springs Road
• Grand A venue
• Ramona Expr essway / Mid County Parkway
• I-10 Bypass between Banning and Cabazon
Highways
Improving the flow of traffic
saves time, reduces stress, and
improves safety, air quality,
and economic productivity.
Population is growing in Riverside County.
Without action, traffic congestion will also
continue to grow. The highways in Riverside
County were built decades ago, in some cases
severing communities and impacting local traffic
circulation. Additionally, Riverside County has
an incomplete highway network that does not
adequately serve our residents or economy. The
Traffic Relief Plan will improve traffic flow by
building new infrastructure and using technology
to improve efficiency of how the transportation
system operates. Investments will include:
I-15 Corridor/Corona, Temescal Valley,
Lake Elsinore, Wildomar, Murrieta,
Temecula
• Add Expr ess Lanes in each direction on I-15
between Cajalco Road in Corona and State
Route 74
• Add at least one lane in each d irection on
I-15 between State Route 74 to the San
Diego County Line
• Construct auxil iary lanes on I-15 in Corona
• Construct t he final phase of the French Valley
Parkway interchange at I-15 in Temecula,
which includes:
o Widening ramps at Winchester Road
o Construct ing on and off ramps to I-15
from French Valley Parkway and a bridge
over I-15
o Construct ing the French Valley Parkway
from Jefferson Avenue to Ynez Road
o Add ing of collector/distributor lanes for
southbound I-15 from I-215 to Winchester
Road
• Reconstruct inter changes at:
o Nichols Road in Lake Elsinor e
o Central A venue (State Route 74) in Lake
Elsinore
o Wildomar T rail (formerly Baxter Road) in
Wildomar
o Bundy Canyon Road in Wildomar
• Construct a new inter change on I-15 at:
o Campbel l Ranch Road and Temescal
Canyon Road in Temescal Valley
o Frankl in Street in Lake Elsinore
I-215 Corridor/Riverside, Moreno Valley,
Perris
• Add at least one lane in each d irection
between State Route 60 and Van Buren
Boulevard
• Construct new inter changes (on and off
ramps) on I-215 at:
o Kel ler Road in Murrieta
o Garbani Road in Menifee
• Reconstruct inter change at Harley Knox
Boulevard in Moreno Valley
91 Corridor/Corona, Riverside
• Add at least one new lane on State Route 91
between:
o State Route 241 and State Route 71 in t he
eastbound direction
Public
Transportation
Safe Streets
& Roads
Active
Transportation
Environmental
Mitigation
Flood &
Blowsand
Control
New TechnologyCommuter
Assistance
Highways Regional
Connections
14 2024 Draft Traffic Relief Plan
TRAFFIC RELIEF: WESTERN RIVERSIDE COUNTY
o I-15 in Cor ona and Pierce Street in
Riverside in both directions
• Reconstruct inter changes on State Route 91
at:
o Adams Str eet in Riverside
o T yler Street in Riverside
• Construct a rapid transit connect ion from the
91 Express Lanes to the North Main Corona
Transit Center/Metrolink station
60 Corridor/Jurupa Valley, Moreno Valley
• Add at least one lane in each d irection on
State Route 60 in Moreno Valley
• Reconstruct inter changes on State Route 60
at:
o Et iwanda Avenue in Jurupa Valley
o Rubidoux Boulevar d in Jurupa Valley
o Red lands Boulevard in Moreno Valley
I-10 Corridor/Calimesa, Beaumont,
Banning, Cabazon
• Reconstruct inter changes on I-10 at:
o State Route 79 (Beaumont A venue) in
Beaumont
o Highland Springs A venue in Beaumont
and Banning
o Pennsylvania A venue in Beaumont
o Mor ongo Parkway and Main Street in
Cabazon
o County Line Road in Cal imesa
o Cherry V alley Boulevard in Calimesa
• Add expr ess lanes on I-10 between State
Route 60 in Beaumont and Highway 111 in
Palm Springs
Countywide Interconnected Highways
Using technologies that have been proven
effective around the world, as well as emerging
innovative technologies, investments will be
made to interconnect highways, street and
ramp signals, and automobiles to create more
efficiency in the entire transportation network.
With roadways and vehicles that can talk to each
other, traffic flow can be increased and safety
improved by reducing the potential for human
error on the road.
Regional Connections
To catch up with and prepare for
continued population growth,
new regional corridors are
necessary to reduce traffic gridlock on existing
highways, improve safety, open economic
opportunities to disadvantaged communities,
and reduce the miles traveled by drivers who
must drive inefficient routes to get from one
end of the region to another. Five new regional
corridors are in various stages of preparation and
need additional funding to become a reality for
Riverside County residents. These transportation
facilities will include features that accommodate
public transit and bicyclists, and will be consistent
with the Multiple Species Habitat Conservation
Plan for the protection of the environment.
Investments will be prioritized based on
readiness to be constructed and available
funding:
• Cajalco Road
• Mid County Parkway
• State Route 79 Real ignment
• Elsinor e-Ethanac Expressway
• I-10 Bypass
Public
Transportation
Safe Streets
& Roads
Active
Transportation
Environmental
Mitigation
Flood &
Blowsand
Control
New TechnologyCommuter
Assistance
Highways Regional
Connections
15 2024 Draft Traffic Relief Plan
TRAFFIC RELIEF: WESTERN RIVERSIDE COUNTY
Public Transportation
Bringing reliable public
transportation to more areas of
Riverside County is a priority of
the Traffic Relief Plan. Increased investment in
bus, rail, and new modes of public transportation
will offer Riverside County residents choices for
how they travel, and ensure public transportation
is available for those who need it most.
Passenger Rail
Riverside County is home to several railroad
rights-of-way that connect our growing
communities. These rail lines serve as a public
transportation backbone for our region. Funds
for the Traffic Relief Plan will:
• Incr ease train service frequency on existing
commuter rail (Metrolink) lines such as the
91/Perris Valley Line and Inland-Empire
Orange County Line, with trains eventually
as frequent as every 30 minutes during peak
periods
• Expand rail service into new ar eas of
Riverside County such as the Beaumont/
Banning/Cabazon/Calimesa area, the
Coachella Valley, and Hemet and San Jacinto
• Construct new railr oad tracks and supporting
infrastructure within existing rail rights-of-
way to allow more trains to operate and to
increase efficiency and on-time performance
of trains
• Construct new rail stat ions, such as at the
Ramona Expressway, in Winchester, and in
Beaumont/Banning/Calimesa/Cabazon area
• Maintain and enhance security and safety at
rail stations
• Maintain and enhance management of
publicly owned railroad rights-of-way to
ensure proper maintenance and safety
• Enhance exist ing rail stations (there are
currently nine stations in Corona, Riverside,
Jurupa Valley, Perris, and near Moreno
Valley), including:
o Construct impr ovements to provide better
accessibility for persons with disabilities
o Construct new parking capacity at stat ions
in Corona, Riverside, and Perris
o Construct train boar ding platforms,
pedestrian bridges, and crossings
• Maintain and operate exist ing and future rail
stations
• Invest in zer o-emission trains
• Maintain and enhance al l aspects of
operating rail service in Riverside County
Bus
The Public Transportation section of the Traffic
Relief Plan will invest in bus transit to reduce
traffic congestion, increase sustainability,
and provide more options to residents who
rely on public transit to access medical care,
employment, education, and other services.
Funding will go toward:
• Sustaining and expand ing where feasible
local fixed-route bus services
• Sustaining and expand ing rapid/commuter
bus services along major corridors in
Riverside County to destinations such as
San Diego, Orange, and San Bernardino
Counties, downtown Riverside, Temecula,
Moreno Valley, Coachella Valley, Hemet/San
Jacinto, and Beaumont/Banning/Calimesa,
Corona, and Perris. These routes can
connect to commercial airports in the region,
major educational, business, and retail/
entertainment destinations
• Impr oving safety and security on bus transit
• Zer o-emission buses and related capital,
maintenance, and operation costs
• Maintenance and operat ion of transit
centers/hubs and bus stops/shelters
• Roadway technologies t hat improve bus
travel times
• Micr o-transit (on-demand) public transit
technologies
Public
Transportation
Safe Streets
& Roads
Active
Transportation
Environmental
Mitigation
Flood &
Blowsand
Control
New TechnologyCommuter
Assistance
Highways Regional
Connections
16 2024 Draft Traffic Relief Plan
TRAFFIC RELIEF: WESTERN RIVERSIDE COUNTY
Additionally, funding will be set aside for
specialized transportation providers that
serve seniors, veterans, students, individuals
with disabilities, and rural and underserved
communities. The Citizens and Specialized
Transit Advisory Committee, with representatives
from these populations, will assist RCTC in
administering and providing oversight to the
program. Funding will go toward:
• Ensuring infrastructur e compliance with
expansion of destinations and hours of
operation for paratransit services such as
Dial-A-Ride
• Keeping transit far es low for seniors,
veterans, students, and individuals with
disabilities
• Impr oved access to and from schools,
colleges and universities, and employment
centers for low-income families and rural
communities
• Fr ee or reduced bus fares for those who
require access to medical appointments, job
interviews, or other needed services
• Bringing infrastructur e into compliance with
the Americans with Disabilities Act
• Cont inued operation of vital community
transportation resources such as the
2-1-1 network, which provides individualized
assessments with transportation and social
service specialists
Environmental
Mitigation
To construct the traffic
relief improvements in
this Plan, mitigation will be required, while
other community mitigation will be provided
to preserve and improve quality of living,
particularly in disadvantaged communities.
Additionally, public infrastructure is increasingly
under threat from natural disasters. Further,
population growth and development puts
pressure on natural areas that make Riverside
County a desirable place to live. To achieve
balanced growth of the region, ensure
transportation projects can move forward,
withstand natural hazards, and provide for a
high quality of living for current and future
generations of Riverside County residents,
the Traffic Relief Plan makes meaningful
commitments to environmental stewardship.
Revenues shall be allocated, at the discretion of
RCTC, for one or more of the following purposes:
• T o benefit the environment and to expedite
permitting and completion of transportation
projects
• T o promote public health and safety by
improving air quality or safeguarding local
transportation infrastructure from natural
hazards, including, but not limited to, floods,
fires, earthquakes, or blowsand
• T o preserve Riverside County’s natural
areas, including fulfillment of the Western
Riverside County Multiple Species Habitat
Conservation Plan (MSHCP) obligations
• T o mitigate Vehicle Miles Traveled (VMT)
• T o support transit-oriented development and
housing
• T o establish and maintain recreational use of
public open spaces by non-motorized means
RCTC shall allocate at least half of the revenues
set-aside for the above purposes to the Western
Riverside County Regional Conservation
Authority for habitat acquisition and/or
endowment purposes until the MSHCP reserve
assembly and endowment obligations are met
to ensure the long-term administration, land
management, and monitoring of the habitat.
Funding allocated from this Plan shall not relieve
any Permittees under the MSHCPs of their
pre-existing obligations to the fulfillment of the
MSHCP .
Public
Transportation
Safe Streets
& Roads
Active
Transportation
Environmental
Mitigation
Flood &
Blowsand
Control
New TechnologyCommuter
Assistance
Highways Regional
Connections
17 2024 Draft Traffic Relief Plan
TRAFFIC RELIEF: WESTERN RIVERSIDE COUNTY
Commuter Assistance
To help commuters with a safer
trip, and to provide alternatives
to driving alone, the Traffic
Relief Plan invests in the following Commuter
Assistance programs:
Freeway Service Patrol
When accidents occur on highways or when
vehicles break down, traffic can build quickly,
creating delays and additional safety hazards
to motorists. Freeway Service Patrol provides
roving tow trucks to quickly assist motorists
so that traffic can flow again. This public
service is operated with strict performance
and accountability measures by the California
Highway Patrol, Caltrans, and RCTC ensuring
that Freeway Service Patrols reduce congestion,
increase safety, and decrease air pollution.
The Plan will sustain and increase Freeway
Service Patrol levels on Interstates 15 and 215
and State Routes 60 and 91, including weekend
service. The Plan will also enable new service to
begin on Interstate 10 and possibly other routes
as determined by benefit-cost analysis.
Park & Ride Lots
Creating more convenient locations for
commuters to meet and travel together reduces
the burdens of solo commuting and decreases
the number of cars on the road during peak
hours.
Employer Partnerships to
Reduce Commutes
The Traffic Relief Plan recognizes that improving
commutes is not just about the commuter, but
also about employers stepping up to help. The
Plan calls for enhancing current Commuter
Assistance Programs with employers in
Riverside County to provide better options and
incentives to encourage ridesharing, vanpooling,
telecommuting, and public transit use.
Public
Transportation
Safe Streets
& Roads
Active
Transportation
Environmental
Mitigation
Flood &
Blowsand
Control
New TechnologyCommuter
Assistance
Highways Regional
Connections
18 2024 Draft Traffic Relief Plan
TRAFFIC RELIEF: WESTERN RIVERSIDE COUNTY
Active Transportation
Transportation options that do
not require a motorized vehicle
are an important element of
healthy, connected communities in Riverside
County. Therefore, the Traffic Relief Plan invests
in pedestrian and bicycle facilities, trails and
access to open space, and planning. Funding
from this category can go toward:
• Sidewal ks and bicycle lanes
• Infrastructur e that provides safer routes to
school for children to walk or bike to school
and decreases injuries and fatalities
• Recr eational trails so that Riverside County
residents can enjoy better access to our
world-renowned natural open spaces
o Amenit ies that support these facilities
such as trailheads, parking lots, restrooms,
and signs are eligible for these funds;
however, maintenance and operations
shall be the responsibility of the local
government agency, not RCTC
o Major r egional trails identified in the
master plan for the Riverside County Parks
& Open Space District are eligible for
funding, which include but are not limited
to:
• But terfield Overland Trail/Southern
Emigrant Trail
• Santa Ana River T rail
• Juan Baut ista de Anza Historical Trail
• Sal t Creek Trail
Public
Transportation
Safe Streets
& Roads
Active
Transportation
Environmental
Mitigation
Flood &
Blowsand
Control
New TechnologyCommuter
Assistance
Highways Regional
Connections
19 2024 Draft Traffic Relief Plan
TRAFFIC RELIEF: WESTERN RIVERSIDE COUNTY
TRAFFIC RELIEF PLAN
Riverside County Transportation Commission
(951) 787-7141 www.rctc.org
4080 Lemon Street, 3rd Floor
P .O. Box 12008 Riverside, CA
92502-2208