The Point: State to vote on funding proposal for 71/91 Interchange next month
The 71/91 Interchange in Corona moved a step closer to construction, following a recommendation by California Transportation Commission staff on November 16 to fund this project and two others in Riverside County. The CTC will vote December 2 and 3 on the recommendations, which were made through a statewide competitive grant process.
A “yes” vote by the CTC would allocate gas tax revenue from Senate Bill 1 to the following projects:
- 71/91 Interchange Project, Corona: $58.1 million
- McKinley Avenue Railroad/Street Grade Separation Project, Corona: $10.3 million
- Limonite Avenue Gap Closure Project, Eastvale, $9.4 million
RCTC is sponsoring the 71/91 Interchange Project and applied multiple times for state and federal funding. The interchange improvement is part of the voter-approved Measure A transportation improvement plan, which provides partial funding for the project. The $58.1 million allocation will provide the remaining funds needed to rebuild the interchange, which serves as a gateway between Riverside, Orange and San Bernardino Counties and is a vital link for commuters and freight vehicles that use the 91.
“Funding for the 71/91 Interchange is welcome news for residents of Riverside County. Funding for this deficient interchange is long overdue,” said RCTC Chair and Wildomar City Council Member Ben J. Benoit. “We strongly urge the CTC to support their staff’s funding recommendation.”
Click here or text RCTC to 77222 to voice support for CTC’s funding of this interchange.
The non-tolled interchange is designed to reduce traffic congestion, increase travel reliability, improve safety, and enhance air quality. The $121 million construction effort will replace the existing single-lane loop connector between eastbound 91 and northbound 71 with a new, two-lane, direct connector ramp, build a new, separate lane from Green River Road to east of the 71/91 Interchange, and realign the eastbound 91 on-ramp from Green River Road to improve access to the interchange. If the CTC approves funding for the project, construction may begin in 2022 and open in 2024. Learn more here.
The City of Corona and the City of Eastvale are the sponsors of the McKinley Street and Limonite Avenue projects that also were recommended for funding.
The CTC also recommended that the San Bernardino County Transportation Authority receive $118 million for its Interstate 15 Corridor Project, which will cross the San Bernardino/Riverside County line to connect with RCTC’s 15 Express Lanes at Cantu-Galleano Ranch Road. RCTC is working with SBCTA on this project to provide a seamless travel experience for express lane customers.