Politics & Government
91 Freeway Widening Plan Clears Major Hurdle Monday
Added lanes and improvements at the SR-91/I-15 interchange are proposed.
One of the nation's most congested freeways is slated to get some relief.
A financing plan that would see State Route 91 widened and the busy freeway’s interchange at Interstate 15 upgraded was green-lighted and is now headed to the Riverside County Transportation Commission (RCTC) for approval.
The Budget and Implementation Committee for the RCTC approved the multi-million-dollar financing plan Monday, which, among other things, calls for the issuance and sale of up to $475 million in Riverside County Transportation Commission sales tax revenue bonds (limited tax bonds), and up to $275 million in county transportation commission toll revenue bonds.
Find out what's happening in Lake Elsinore-Wildomarwith free, real-time updates from Patch.
The plan also includes a $435 million Transportation Infrastructure Finance and Innovation Act (TIFIA) loan from the U.S. Department of Transportation.
The RCTC is expected to vote on the plan next month, and a contract award is anticipated in May, according to Lake Elsinore Mayor Bob Magee who serves on the RCTC.
Find out what's happening in Lake Elsinore-Wildomarwith free, real-time updates from Patch.
“The project will break ground early in 2014 and be completed in 2017,” Magee said.
The project would see improvements along SR-91 from the Orange County line to about Pierce Street in Riverside. The work would complement ongoing Interstate 215 construction that includes widening as well as improvements to the SR-60/I-215 interchange, Magee said.
Magee has worked to improve commute conditions for Lake Elsinore residents, who have some of the longest home-to-work commute times in the region.
According an to RCTC statement, "State Route 91 in Riverside County ranks among the nation's worst commutes."
A 2009 Measure A Expenditure Plan approved by Riverside County voters in November 2002 identified SR-91 improvements to be financed using Measure A Western Riverside County highway funds. In November 2010, Riverside County voters increased the Measure A debt limit to $975 million.
According to the RCTC, the sales tax and toll bonds would be issued as fixed, long-term bonds.
Click here for RCTC videos on the proposed SR-91 improvements.
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