[{"_1":2,"_123":-5,"_124":-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",[32,75,87,99,111],{"_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",6135032,"mediaKeyId","5677577-077dfe54a04a4145063cc2731316cb4c","parentId",5677577,"title","RCTC urges federal and state reforms to speed rail and express-lane projects","audioSeconds",211,"startMs",312000,"endMs",523000,"viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=5677577-077dfe54a04a4145063cc2731316cb4c&start=312&end=523","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5677577-077dfe54a04a4145063cc2731316cb4c/thumbnail_312000.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/6135032/Riverside-County/California/RCTC-urges-federal-and-state-reforms-to-speed-rail-and-express-lane-projects","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6135032-2c5b27a65613f53097df34a80ed8ffa6/orig.mp4?Expires=1773608049&Signature=Flt0uYY2bZtvJxSOsrjxhhaZ-vGyErhOkTjzNdmWFLF1mU0pVC5vKkJ7LcqSuKQ-js5yp3MEeHisH48UjYQw-8yMTrRmcjwvTMhA5X6xu5zxz96ve38FNdeE1XSNbA8r~yLFyjZnjx3KqURdWDlGL2WKQp~VHC0r6ov3XCeXhzjuYcuYjw~nmRnbKP-aXKd-ir~fGO1Ye1mGqzYq-lR4TXrrWgHl-0lahUe2iuyDSDz9S2e9EidyJ7HaHW8yJzWEOfzfjop56C~KWuiipUNz7rV5ILJh8BYbR~21hT9XfcvARcOoI8iitvgKb52AuMzBUDNsvq4cvu0HcHaqQhUEZA__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","Riverside County, CA","date","2025-08-25T00:00:00Z","article","Riverside County Transportation Commission staff on Aug. 25 described a set of federal and state legislative proposals intended to accelerate major transportation projects in the county. Tyler, RCTC's legislative affairs presenter, said the proposals “aim to expedite project timelines, reduce administrative burdens, strengthen local control funding decisions and to better utilize federal resources.”

The proposals RCTC has submitted to the U.S. Department of Transportation and congressional staff seek targeted changes rather than broad rewrites. The package includes improving the federal Corridor ID program to prioritize funding and allow planning and environmental phases to proceed concurrently; exempting portions of rail projects within existing railroad rights of way from full National Environmental Policy Act reviews; clarifying federal grant eligibility for express lane projects; and enabling direct suballocation of Surface Transportation Block Grant and Congestion Mitigation and Air Quality funds directly to county transportation commissions.

RCTC staff told the committee the Corridor ID changes are intended to move projects such as the Coachella Valley Rail Project more quickly through federal stages. On NEPA, Tyler said staff supports “exempting portions of rail projects within existing railroad rights of way from the National Environmental Policy Act, or NEPA, review” because “rail infrastructure within existing rights of way have already undergone such a review.”

The staff report also notes RCTC has been meeting with congressional committees and senators’ offices, including staff for Senators Alex Padilla and Adam Schiff, to press for consideration of the proposals as Congress begins reauthorization work. Tyler said Senate committee work on surface transportation reauthorization will continue through September 2026 and RCTC will keep the commission updated.

On the state level, staff said it is monitoring the end-of-session push to reauthorize California’s cap-and-trade program and emphasized protecting funding streams that support transit programs such as the Transit and Intercity Rail Capital Program and the Low Carbon Transit Operations Program. Tyler said RCTC “co-signed a letter to the legislative leadership communicating these priorities.”

Commissioners thanked staff and received the report for the record. No formal committee action beyond receipt was reported at the meeting.","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","Riverside County Transportation Commission B&I Regular Meeting 8/25/2025 9:30 AM","oneSentenceSummary","Riverside County Transportation Commission staff on Aug. 25 outlined a package of federal and state advocacy proposals aimed at shortening project timelines and improving local access to transportation funds.","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},6135011,"Rancho California on-ramp opened early, RCTC staff announce",19,2505000,2524000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=5677577-077dfe54a04a4145063cc2731316cb4c&start=2505&end=2524","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5677577-077dfe54a04a4145063cc2731316cb4c/thumbnail_2505000.jpg","/articles/6135011/Riverside-County/California/Rancho-California-on-ramp-opened-early-RCTC-staff-announce","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6135011-c75f54f77265e5438e4499a6ebce15f8/orig.mp4?Expires=1773608049&Signature=BP4b8-N8pzu2DsMkhQMunlw9tOn1B7PLmeh-dDtogCLhgDgkxwshRu5QhhuuIAHGMWw3AI3ZtBwCxWDn1VMqi-pQq83sv9VIA-FmX4daHXoHtZk2HdAigd2Pqs0nSjwGGbK4BArhQfVuGP0HkMN8BhJ4RbcVkuGahQBPR1-OZRiMWmzgLxVouOOch145GXS0OwP3oFf0Vh2zdHUNPHOLv9g8qqpNFf3wbnlmhoqgBGLv0eJzwP-sfRBHBbe4A4OWCuswGzD1bfJm~rF5IfAbMKuMCGjAHQrNq5lAa3mDL5s8uSlqmobdjMxiGTn0bDBfLNjHKVbvhCmsiNNF9DVsyw__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","At the end of the Aug. 25 meeting, RCTC's executive director reported that the Rancho California on-ramp opened early over the weekend. Staff thanked contractor Granite Construction and the Riverside County Sheriff and the City of Temecula for their roles in the project’s early opening.

No additional action or vote was taken; the item was an informational report from staff.","The executive director reported that the Rancho California on-ramp opened early over the weekend, thanking Granite Construction and the Riverside County Sheriff and Temecula city staff for support.",{"_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},6135017,"RCTC approves $750,000 public outreach contract for Traffic Relief Plan; term corrected to 12 months",311,1530000,1841000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=5677577-077dfe54a04a4145063cc2731316cb4c&start=1530&end=1841","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5677577-077dfe54a04a4145063cc2731316cb4c/thumbnail_1530000.jpg","/articles/6135017/Riverside-County/California/RCTC-approves-750000-public-outreach-contract-for-Traffic-Relief-Plan-term-corrected-to-12-months","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6135017-2475268a377492da198b8cec98847382/orig.mp4?Expires=1773608049&Signature=PQh98K6McfZrddlAqQsqrfUNp8FjWpQjrdr93huC6FpEx0uMYITXNVLqllF0FB5HvsykKpDhIsdvEv4so5AVwAnUS6xgdl38K7Ov0dL-jatcsJQKs5TxPVdlZqCA-0RMlXAuJzcx~--veb4TGyPQhM4QqKHNsdoz8O1901kX3npnwWRepDviTyit9X4ybbnnw9dtvBRjvoo2iX5KvSI7Pggu9L1J6jJMzsemA-5bQD96lhP7ZLmVwbZfghnea~jdUwqroRmczMKpDf18X3-2dLFH3l0kOeUEVKAKMlntKwQRYLGvbz-~QgETcOtwFrpSCK5xpWu4wdXW7a8KS4sUTw__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Riverside County Transportation Commission on Aug. 25 approved an agreement with Southwest Strategies Group for public information and awareness services supporting the commission's Traffic Relief Plan (TRP), with a not-to-exceed amount of $750,000 and a corrected contract term of 12 months.

Jeanette Flores, RCTC external affairs director, said the outreach program is designed “to educate Riverside County residents about the projects and the traffic relief plan and receive any feedback.” Flores described measurable goals including a targeted 15% increase in TRP awareness by 2026, engaging 7% of adult residents, delivering TRP materials to at least 50% of adults, holding or participating in at least 50 community events, and recruiting 30 community representatives. Flores said all materials will be translated into English and Spanish.

Jeanette and David Knudson, a staff participant in the presentation, explained the contract uses a service-based approach with performance tracking and baseline and follow-up public-opinion surveys. Knudson said, “This 15% increase in awareness of the TRPs is a significant goal change for us and it changes the strategy for how we're actually going to outreach.”

During public and commissioner discussion, Commissioner Stewart asked whether outreach would make clear that many of the TRP projects require funding—potentially including a local sales-tax measure—to proceed. Flores replied the outreach is intended to inform the public about the plan and projects so the community has a basis for input should the commission later pursue a ballot measure; staff said prior outreach included telling the public that some projects require a public vote or other funding sources. Commissioners also requested a staff workshop with the consultant so commissioners can review strategy and help guide outreach.

The committee approved the recommendation and clarified the contract term on the record to 12 months (the staff report language that said “16-month term” was identified as an error). Staff noted any increase in funds would require future commission approval.","The committee approved a not-to-exceed $750,000 agreement with Southwest Strategies Group for a traffic relief plan public information campaign, clarified the contract term as 12 months (staff report misstated 16 months), and requested staff follow-up workshops and measurement of awareness goals.",{"_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},6135022,"RCTC allocates about $5.06 million in State of Good Repair funds to county transit operators",208,1247000,1455000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=5677577-077dfe54a04a4145063cc2731316cb4c&start=1247&end=1455","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5677577-077dfe54a04a4145063cc2731316cb4c/thumbnail_1247000.jpg","/articles/6135022/Riverside-County/California/RCTC-allocates-about-506-million-in-State-of-Good-Repair-funds-to-county-transit-operators","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6135022-542954fe4f157ba746dd23d4c8284776/orig.mp4?Expires=1773608049&Signature=SxYoOzKXl4YHuL7EE8UWHIzJ8hqtUbktGNnNFhF96uJ1GR9xzIKA-R2dIIxKI6f-Aq-W0wy79jY-XwlUjnXi2CJgqbk4XDaJRbbgwPhaVAWQwwUtEAEw80UDmlr6hriv3AAKmhiQdr8wWt~u4H4dJ9gtzLOVO6B3GcdzBMrWs33o9YqZ6LnOiwsZwhstesRi-gs~-8JMm4CtZfIRvEfgQz8CNq6x9iyf1YCCYdqPhKpRed-hDd46PLiQhfcCIAyrxCV005KIwA-AGYofPE43Qskcx9c7zS9SgqcwYyecmfPymb9drbvOjk2fl3~i6iODkZp2p99d9YRLwdYZ3hjjCw__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Riverside County Transportation Commission staff on Aug. 25 recommended and the committee approved allocations of fiscal year 2025–26 State of Good Repair (SGR) funds to local transit operators. Eric Dehaite, RCTC staff, told the committee the SGR program provides approximately $105 million statewide annually and that the August revised State Controller’s Office estimate increased the county’s allocation slightly, allowing RCTC to allocate $5,061,324 to transit operators.

Dehaite explained the SGR program funding flows through Public Utilities Code sections used for other transit funding and that most SGR funds are discretionary under PUC 99313 while the remainder is allocated according to the State Controller’s calculation under PUC 99314. To receive the funds, Dehaite said the commission must adopt a resolution, approve operators’ SGR project lists and complete authorization agent updates.

Staff recommended the committee forward Resolution 205-8 (attachment referenced in staff report), allocate $5,061,324 of SGR funds for FY 2025–26, and approve a $53,700 budget modification to accommodate the SCO’s revised estimate. The committee approved the recommendation and will incorporate the allocations into transit operators’ SRTPs as needed.","Committee approved staff recommendations to allocate $5,061,324 in State of Good Repair funds for fiscal year 2025–26 and a $53,700 budget modification to manage a small increase in the August SCO estimate.",{"_33":112,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":113,"_41":114,"_43":115,"_45":116,"_47":117,"_49":118,"_51":119,"_53":120,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":121,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":122,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6135027,"RCTC sets Riverside County share from 2026 STIP; Western region to receive roughly $25 million",192,775000,967000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=5677577-077dfe54a04a4145063cc2731316cb4c&start=775&end=967","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5677577-077dfe54a04a4145063cc2731316cb4c/thumbnail_775000.jpg","/articles/6135027/Riverside-County/California/RCTC-sets-Riverside-County-share-from-2026-STIP-Western-region-to-receive-roughly-25-million","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6135027-7cca8c9121708b4b25f9b0f174558006/orig.mp4?Expires=1773608049&Signature=mP5hxIaQhfFGkFw303TOgfsrV5wTEbkHB1FN7ATUZSW4Q2TNU2z98DJnCJMQ2ApNxFPV6Z44k-yyKnTssC59hjpbFTVbQJ-TAn7PmdssPcR2J5x-uVjsR9VgsvNERYnd2kxdjmPajNJBcU7YwaOZdzd6nb342KZswbTk4HI1s~RI1azGb5y8-ez10gLt7~J7bwWF-MDPnOS5EShkkNDDtcjGjG0HWHj0pXbNV0lIMw71y0yCxGoqiqgVHQ6TaXFfbOpX8VzS0h02WP5nLcn-don6s35IEX3x-JW1iQ7WzfDI070vzWEFAL-KNP8EmJ8Q~~EA9-CS47ZsSQ0InNfz9g__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Riverside County Transportation Commission staff on Aug. 25 laid out the proposed intra-county distribution of the 2026 State Transportation Improvement Program, or STIP, fund estimate and asked the committee to forward the recommendation to the commission. Jenny Chan, RCTC planning and programming manager, told the committee the California Transportation Commission adopted a 2026 fund estimate of $1.1 billion on Aug. 14 and Riverside County's share is approximately $32.7 million.

Chan said the STIP is split by state statute between Caltrans and counties (25%/75%) and that the commission follows an intra-county memorandum of understanding adopted in 1998 to divide new STIP capacity by sales tax revenue shares. Using that formula, Chan said Western Riverside County would receive about 80.16% of the county share (roughly $25 million), Coachella Valley about 19.47% (about $6 million), and Palo Verde Valley about 0.37% (about $115,000).

Staff proposed retaining 5% of the county STIP share for planning, programming, and monitoring (PPM) activities and splitting PPM proportionally with CVAG. Chan described an administrative path for the Palo Verde Valley share: the City of Blythe nominates projects, and historically RCTC has executed memoranda of understanding trading a small Palo Verde allocation for Western County Measure A highway funds because the Palo Verde amount is small and administratively complex.

Chan said staff will develop Western County project nominations, coordinate with CVAG on Coachella Valley nominations, present projects for commission approval in the fall, and submit the 2026 STIP to the CTC by Dec. 15. The committee voted to advance the item for commission action.","Committee approved staff recommendation to apply the 2026 State Transportation Improvement Program fund estimate and to distribute Riverside County's estimated $32.7 million STIP share across the county, with approximately $25 million to Western Riverside County and $6 million to the Coachella Valley.","actionData","errors"]

Article not found

RCTC urges federal and state reforms to speed rail and express-lane projects

Rancho California on-ramp opened early, RCTC staff announce

RCTC approves $750,000 public outreach contract for Traffic Relief Plan; term corrected to 12 months

RCTC allocates about $5.06 million in State of Good Repair funds to county transit operators

RCTC sets Riverside County share from 2026 STIP; Western region to receive roughly $25 million