[{"_1":2,"_111":-5,"_112":-5},"loaderData",{"_3":4,"_26":27},"root",{"_5":6,"_17":10,"_18":19,"_20":21,"_22":10,"_23":-5,"_24":-5,"_25":10},"user",{"_7":8,"_9":10,"_11":10,"_12":-5,"_13":-5,"_14":15,"_16":-5},"roles",[],"isAuthenticated",false,"isPremium","planName","subscriptionStatus","featureFlags",{},"insightsBudget","isDevelopmentHost","userPreferences",{},"recaptchaSiteKey","6LcvOJcUAAAAAHsB-gPGfGktcRlKpH7OTIU_dMTD","isImpersonating","impersonation","affiliateStatus","isFreedomPortal","routes/v2/article/layout",{"_28":29,"_30":31},"notFound",true,"relatedArticles",[32,75,87,99],{"_33":34,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":40,"_41":42,"_43":44,"_45":46,"_47":48,"_49":50,"_51":52,"_53":54,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":60,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":66,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},"mediaId",6152354,"mediaKeyId","5498602-8326efac3f0da7175bde5805f3c0d130","parentId",5498602,"title","RCTC launches Next Generation Toll Feasibility Study 2, selects HDR for corridor evaluation","audioSeconds",1141,"startMs",3285000,"endMs",4426000,"viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=5498602-8326efac3f0da7175bde5805f3c0d130&start=3285&end=4426","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5498602-8326efac3f0da7175bde5805f3c0d130/thumbnail_3285000.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/6152354/Riverside-County/California/RCTC-launches-Next-Generation-Toll-Feasibility-Study-2-selects-HDR-for-corridor-evaluation","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6152354-39eeae57db6bb78c0109128051f03426/orig.mp4?Expires=1777153199&Signature=Tf2RFLnWORUwyt8--GHgPYpVsGLRvdQyTPt41wnvDDS9Rw9Hi5WmVd7MTyeukdP0SZSTgFdGkuGjAxJ3rcF4xVbZfLzgBQOrAD~S3snHMDZuUA4LlJJbpIEmvzwx~xI3zqOMUavUF2uHME23L29zhsde28besIYVoymDDyocOgYHrIJpolsQ4a1TySphj2iFqDQduBTA70ySDetXLQ5s7SSCdktaYm-6nzlfrSe2GYEjVjlZjogvhaKULfHcRRvYKRay8HaohUOU7KF8cuvqW0ZvABdzdzWIjOSYWj2JpcHi8dRXk8Lp0RRqdMxoy1eCD4WBMYr10wAvIl3l5G9mdQ__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","Riverside County, CA","date","2025-07-28T00:00:00Z","article","Riverside County Transportation Commission approved an agreement with HDR Engineering to complete Next Generation Toll Feasibility Study 2, a corridor‑level evaluation of potential express lanes and new capacity in western Riverside County.

“Unlike other parts of the state, Riverside County is expected to increase significantly in population,” said David Thomas, RCTC staff, framing the study as a response to future congestion. The study will re‑examine options first analyzed in a 2019 study — which had been shelved after mixed feedback — and will focus on where to add capacity, how to avoid moving congestion to termination points, toll rate implications and equity programs.

The study scope includes three components: converting and augmenting HOV/express facilities on the I‑215 and Box Springs grade; extending and adding lanes on the 91 to create two express lanes in each direction in targeted limits; and improving direct connectivity between the 91 and I‑215 express lane networks. Staff said Route 60 west of the I‑215 is excluded from this study because earlier work showed low financial feasibility and SBCTA already has parallel projects.

Staff said the RFP generated two proposals; after evaluation and interviews HDR scored highest and staff recommended awarding the roughly $1.5 million agreement with a contingency for a total of about $1.65 million. The study will include traffic simulation, updated cost estimates, study of toll‑policy options (including potential discounted or free access for HOV2), equity and VMT mitigation programs, and engagement with Caltrans and cities in the corridor. Staff noted the intention to involve City of Riverside staff and other local jurisdictions in vetting any future project recommendations before bringing them to the commission.

Commissioners raised concerns including converting HOV lanes — a politically sensitive change — and the potential for high toll rates. Staff said the study will evaluate alternatives such as keeping HOV2 free or discounted in express lanes (while maintaining transponder requirements) and that adding capacity can reduce required tolls — citing prior experience where added eastbound capacity on the 91 reduced peak tolls.

The committee voted to approve the HDR agreement; staff expects to return to the commission in 2027 with recommendations on whether to proceed with any new express‑lane projects in western Riverside County.","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","Riverside County Transportation Commission P&P Regular Meeting 7/28/2025 1:30 PM","oneSentenceSummary","RCTC approved an agreement with HDR Engineering to complete Next Generation Toll Feasibility Study 2, studying potential express‑lane conversions and new capacity on the I‑215, I‑215/60/91 and 91 corridors to inform future project recommendations.","taxTitle","Riverside County, California","taxId",3353,"location","headline","","shortSummary",{"_33":76,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":77,"_41":78,"_43":79,"_45":80,"_47":81,"_49":82,"_51":83,"_53":84,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":85,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":86,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6152361,"RCTC approves amendments for legal and construction‑management support on 91 Eastbound corridor project",1174,2106000,3280000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=5498602-8326efac3f0da7175bde5805f3c0d130&start=2106&end=3280","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5498602-8326efac3f0da7175bde5805f3c0d130/thumbnail_2106000.jpg","/articles/6152361/Riverside-County/California/RCTC-approves-amendments-for-legal-and-constructionmanagement-support-on-91-Eastbound-corridor-project","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6152361-2803fdd6a435deee47042ca32ffbcf5a/orig.mp4?Expires=1777153199&Signature=irNM5U2gv18ZaKL~CQEp4z2PS~Gjaaj8o7vLsc9l3e9qJBad6eU4atw4rl8JNMOgY8SWCj7PcXGc5I1WSQf1rBYHAkeUUpRjFwlaorB6RcjY8mvQ~m8zeKyMiNsXU17e9ehTIwUELT1xLGMCqkwDgRH0NTrqSauhawCMUYHH55pTBsgChtqoZlpl-oYG14aFxelWoTTjCDmy4qkXO-XY1YPS50i~5lDgJCoOg5zfLBcxtuq0CopovqEGcUBAerw3c5xpcKRXXiakbmeNVPfzpq2BL6CZhLO7ZTnRqB9tZVY8MhM8b~Kjh0xUmKmXY2oQx~8-bFFR9kJ5qWIe~2pkDw__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The Riverside County Transportation Commission approved amendments to on‑call agreements with Nossaman LLP for specialized legal services and with Parsons Transportation Group for project and construction management services to support the 91 Eastbound Corridor Operations Project, a progressive design‑build effort to add an operational lane and related improvements.

Sherry (staff) described the project as an addition of an operational lane eastbound through a steep hillside corridor that includes retaining‑wall work, grading and rockfall mitigation. Staff recommended sole‑source amendments because both firms previously supported the commission on similar progressive design‑build procurements and brought lessons learned intended to streamline procurement and contract development.

For legal services, staff reported Nossaman’s prior experience drafting progressive design‑build procurement documents and supporting protests and negotiations; staff initially cited a Nossaman cost of $2,500,000 plus a 10% contingency (about $2,750,000) and later presented recommended authorization figures in the staff slide package. For project and construction management (PCM) Phase 1 services, Parsons was proposed to provide procurement support, independent cost estimates, constructability reviews and project controls; staff presented an estimated Phase 1 PCM cost of about $9,700,000 with a 10% contingency (total about $10,700,000).

The progressive design‑build approach described in the presentation will select a design‑build team via qualifications, negotiate a preconstruction phase using open‑book estimating, then either execute a guaranteed maximum price to proceed to final design and construction or use off‑ramps to reprocure or complete design as needed.

Commissioners asked for specifics on lessons learned from prior procurements, schedule acceleration and whether current retaining‑wall and other nearby work would be compatible with future corridor widening. Staff said lessons from the I‑15 Southern Extension procurement would shorten timelines on the 91 project and that project design will consider master‑plan corridor needs where feasible. The committee voted to approve the amendments and authorized staff to execute the amendments and contingencies as presented.","The commission approved sole‑source amendments with Nossaman LLP for legal support and Parsons Transportation Group for project and construction management to prepare for a progressive design‑build delivery of the 91 Eastbound Corridor Operations Project (91 E‑COP).",{"_33":88,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":89,"_41":90,"_43":91,"_45":92,"_47":93,"_49":94,"_51":95,"_53":96,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":97,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":98,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6152366,"RCTC awards SR‑79 financing feasibility study to HNTB to seek $1 billion‑plus construction funding",444,1590000,2034000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=5498602-8326efac3f0da7175bde5805f3c0d130&start=1590&end=2034","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5498602-8326efac3f0da7175bde5805f3c0d130/thumbnail_1590000.jpg","/articles/6152366/Riverside-County/California/RCTC-awards-SR79-financing-feasibility-study-to-HNTB-to-seek-1-billionplus-construction-funding","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6152366-537a8c73c3c3ef6f0dbe74c57d53dacd/orig.mp4?Expires=1777153199&Signature=Zc32kDOjS8xTO5c7Lt2jZgkiLqjnrsUdaGmBVMnVyINy1zvkGMtwMjqNvA4BmFS95xwJX6t9O1TBcfzOXgD-wjpKqTphWDjMRDbtA52n4N3eLesFPWVrvMRL9GVd2~kkjhQxB7UBlgSAzbA86FUJUXKqOt~X~PORkI5T06si4zWY9DygG0GHxtMgZgx5vTSgSIdjXsNSGH8Mb0WCH9mQZ6EI56AAYG-FO0Z9PPE3szMXlvmeBHMh-ip8A4pN7R7xilAdrTgI3h0StAAi0FtahwAD8u5ymzJxiHhFDoKnVMSLwqkjwZkId~~fxvOrQ2Izd8pT7FW8jah0VoOmc36rEg__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Riverside County Transportation Commission staff recommended and the committee approved an award to HNTB Corporation to perform the State Route 79 Innovative Financing and Feasibility Study (SR‑79 IFFS), a two‑phase effort to identify funding and delivery options for SR‑79 segments.

“Before I discuss the SR‑79 IFFS, I wanted to provide an overview,” said Joy Edeles Yanez, the project manager for SR‑79, who told the committee the study will explore funding and financing pathways, design enhancements to improve grant competitiveness and alternative delivery methods.

Staff said SR‑79 was shifted to be a county facility and split into three segments. Design for Segment 3 is underway, but construction funding remains the primary hurdle: staff reported a $220 million need for Segment 3 construction by 2028, $499 million for Segment 2, and $340 million for Segment 1 — figures staff noted are in 2024 dollars and will rise with inflation. Combined, those needs exceed $1 billion.

RCTC released a request for proposals in May 2025 and shortlisted three firms; following interviews, HNTB was selected because staff said it offered broad monetization options and demonstrated understanding of RCTC financials. Phase 1 of the study will collect information and rank up to seven funding alternatives, with a short list of three by year‑end; Phase 2 will do deep dives into the top three alternatives including conceptual engineering, cost estimating, traffic and revenue modeling, and feasibility assessment, with completion anticipated in mid‑next year and a commission briefing in the fall.

Edeles Yanez said the study will be funded with RCTC’s TUMF Regional Arterial funds as previously approved and recommended award of the SR‑79 IFFS to HNTB. The committee voted to approve the award.

The study will evaluate financing tools (for example public‑private partnerships, grant monetization, bonding and other options), potential design enhancements to improve grant competitiveness, and delivery methods to accelerate construction. Staff emphasized the study’s goal is to identify viable pathways to meet construction schedules and inform future commission decisions.","RCTC selected HNTB to perform an Innovative Financing and Feasibility Study for State Route 79 Segment 3 and other segments, aiming to identify funding/financing options for a combined construction need of more than $1 billion.",{"_33":100,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":101,"_41":102,"_43":103,"_45":104,"_47":105,"_49":106,"_51":107,"_53":108,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":109,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":110,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6152371,"RCTC approves $4.3 million amendment to I‑15 cross‑county toll cooperative agreement with SBCTA",1332,257000,1589000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=5498602-8326efac3f0da7175bde5805f3c0d130&start=257&end=1589","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5498602-8326efac3f0da7175bde5805f3c0d130/thumbnail_257000.jpg","/articles/6152371/Riverside-County/California/RCTC-approves-43-million-amendment-to-I15-crosscounty-toll-cooperative-agreement-with-SBCTA","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6152371-5816a932ae73f2983934bd98234448d4/orig.mp4?Expires=1777153199&Signature=fwwTtCfTLkhAPyoZ-Oartl-MVSJSvND8vE7-h29Tn~C7kdiuHKuVwobWkueX4GhDrBu-jvr3iY47dIVn10ngbd~y00hNXK4QDjOVZFD52rfnHCrkYwqb9j1JQqlLINIx09Jx77ed6~Wp39IqnHlEZmJMKD4KZ7xntMChH2i0xl5~4CVM8gbR9UqRZRsQZqt4oI~LNeGen1lDGMR64ng8F78C3MiAYQlYcYkwXcjus~8B0-ZKwPmgmmWfjvZo5ON0hVTe5w0uoM~14rcst9IbWMSwk8rdH4ecqpllxuVaygyMjJtgOp0aIC-9FU3E24ktsbQbgxeZypLT1sEJEPPesg__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The Riverside County Transportation Commission on a unanimous voice vote approved an amendment to its cooperative agreement with the San Bernardino County Transportation Authority to update and pay for betterment costs on the I‑15 Cross County toll segment.

The amendment actualizes line‑item capital and supporting contract costs after SBCTA received construction bids higher than earlier engineer estimates. “Costs went up for the betterment by approximately $4,300,000,” said Jeff Dietzler, capital project manager with RCTC’s tolling group, adding the commission would cover the increase using an additional transfer of unobligated CMAQ funds.

The action matters because SBCTA’s project extends express lanes north from south of SR‑60 through Foothill Boulevard, including a southern “cross county” segment of about three miles, roughly two of which are inside Riverside County. The cooperative agreement and related assignments and toll‑and‑facilities changes define which agency will operate and collect tolls on the overlapping segments and how revenue impacts are handled.

Dietzler summarized responsibilities under the cooperative agreement: SBCTA will design, construct and operate the new segment and collect toll revenue; SBCTA will operate the corridor consistent with RCTC toll rules; and SBCTA will reimburse RCTC for modeled revenue loss during and after construction. “The very first dollars made go to RCTC until such time as the yearly revenue of that lost segment is made whole,” he said, describing the repayment mechanism built into the contract.

Jurupa Valley’s representative pressed staff on how toll surplus — revenue above modeled payments to RCTC — would be treated and whether Riverside County cities could request surplus investments. “So most of the frontage is now being operated by SBCTA,” the commissioner said, urging clarity on whether Eastvale or Jurupa Valley could access surplus funding. RCTC staff responded that the agreements require SBCTA to reimburse RCTC for the modeled revenue loss first and that the current contracts do not obligate SBCTA to expend any corridor surplus within Riverside County. Staff said mutual agreements between agencies (for example, similar cooperation already seen with OCTA and RCTC on other corridors) remain possible but are not required by the executed terms.

Staff also noted an operating agreement for day‑to‑day coordination remains to be negotiated; it must be in place at least one year before SBCTA opens the lanes. The cooperative agreement amendment before the commission was limited to actualizing betterment costs based on received bids and negotiated supporting contract costs with the toll vendor, described in the staff exhibit.

The vote to approve the amendment was taken by roll call; commissioners representing District 1, District 2, Banning, Eastvale, Hemet, Norco, Wildomar and other member cities voted in favor and the item passed.

The amendment adjusts capital and supporting costs in the cooperative agreement’s exhibit and authorizes a CMAQ transfer of approximately $4.3 million of unobligated funds to cover RCTC’s increased share of the betterments. Staff said they will return with additional detail if member cities request further clarification about surplus treatment or corridor investments.","The Riverside County Transportation Commission approved an amendment to a cooperative agreement with the San Bernardino County Transportation Authority (SBCTA) to actualize betterment costs for the I‑15 Cross County toll segment, updating estimated costs after bids came in higher and authorizing use of unobligated CMAQ funds.","actionData","errors"]

Article not found

RCTC launches Next Generation Toll Feasibility Study 2, selects HDR for corridor evaluation

RCTC approves amendments for legal and construction‑management support on 91 Eastbound corridor project

RCTC awards SR‑79 financing feasibility study to HNTB to seek $1 billion‑plus construction funding

RCTC approves $4.3 million amendment to I‑15 cross‑county toll cooperative agreement with SBCTA