The Point: Joseph Tavaglione brought together the region to improve transportation in Riverside County
Born in 1923, Joseph Tavaglione spent much of his life improving Riverside County through his community service for better transportation infrastructure across the region. Joe was appointed by Governor Gray Davis, Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger, Governor Jerry Brown, and Governor Gavin Newson to serve on the California Transportation Commission (CTC) where he was recognized as one of the longest serving members. As a CTC Commissioner, he took a part in approving billions of dollars in funding for transportation infrastructure in the Inland Empire.
On January 22, 2025, family, friends, and community leaders gathered in Riverside to honor the legacy and memory of Joe who passed away on August 1, 2024, at the age of 101. In recognition of his substantial contributions to our region’s transportation system, the California State Legislature officially designated the 60/91/215 interchange as the “Joseph Tavaglione Memorial Interchange.”
The 60/91/215 Interchange project, located at the heart of the Inland Empire, was completed in 2008 and is just one example of his tireless efforts to make sure that transportation projects in the Inland Empire were funded and completed. Joe’s leadership and vision united transportation leaders, elected officials, and community members not just in the Inland Empire but across California to work together to improve the state’s transportation system.
Joe’s leadership ensured our communities received state funding for widening I-215, SR-91, I-15, and SR-60, and constructing the Perris Valley Line, railroad grade separations, interchanges, and active transportation projects across all corners of Riverside County. Joe’s contributions to transportation planning and infrastructure, economic development, and various charitable causes have not only left a lasting impact on Riverside County and the broader southern California region but brought our communities closer together.