The Point: RCTC Annual Report showcases transportation project delivery, public transit, environmental protection, and more
It was a year marked by major investments in highway, road, public transit, and the environment like none other in RCTC’s 46-year history. This progress is highlighted in the 2022 Annual Report presented to the RCTC Commission on February 8.
Our transportation network safely connects Riverside County’s diverse communities, offers mobility choices, improves traffic operations, and streamlines the movement of goods, all of which help residents make important connections to school, work, family, friends, and things that matter most.
During 2022, RCTC invested $879 million in construction activity with support for 10,513 construction jobs. Five highway projects opened – the 91 Corridor Operations Project in Corona, the I-15 Railroad Canyon Road Interchange in Lake Elsinore, the Route 60 Truck Lanes in Riverside County’s Badlands between Beaumont and Moreno Valley, the I-15 Interim Corridor Operations Project in Corona, and the I-215 Placentia Avenue Interchange in Perris (shown below). Construction also continued on the 15/91 Express Lanes Connector Project in Corona.
At the local level, RCTC allocated $126 million in Measure A funding for 248 road projects countywide. Measure A is the twice voter-approved half-cent sales tax dedicated to transportation improvements in Riverside County.
Public transit was an ongoing focus in 2022. RCTC unanimously approved the program-level environmental documents for the proposed Coachella Valley Rail passenger train service between Los Angeles and the Coachella Valley, a significant milestone for this long-range project. Efforts are under way to secure grant funding for a more in-depth project-level environmental review that could lead to future construction. Construction began on improvements to the Moreno Valley/March Field Metrolink Station in Riverside, and RCTC received $25 million toward costs to upgrade freight tracks to meet the standards for passenger rail, allowing an additional set of tracks for the 91/Perris Valley Line. RCTC also completed 25 other Metrolink station maintenance projects and continued to help fund seven local bus systems and 15 specialized transit services across the county.
In addition to highway, road, and rail projects, RCTC provides commuter assistance. Our Freeway Service Patrol program aided 63,550 stranded motorists during the past year by jump-starting batteries, fixing flat tires, conducting other minor roadside repairs, or towing vehicles to CHP-approved locations. RCTC also encourages motorists to share rides, increasing its $2 per day incentive to $5 per day last year. The IE Commuter program supported 592 employers with ridesharing programs and provided subsidies to 40 vanpools, reducing 55,650 single occupancy trips and 7.2 million pounds of vehicle emissions.
Vehicle emission reduction is just one way that RCTC helps the environment. As the managing agency for the Western Riverside County Regional Conservation Authority, RCTC supported efforts that added 2,445 acres of protected habitat toward the overall goal of preserving 500,000 acres. This habitat benefits 146 native animal and plant species.
Read more about RCTC’s 2022 work and accomplishments in our Annual Report infographic and watch for our video series coming soon.