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Beaumont seeks $13.5M in pass‑zone funds, adds $7.4M gap to Potrero interchange project; RCTC to lead construction
Summary
Council approved a five‑year CIP amendment and cooperative agreements enabling the Riverside County Transportation Commission (RCTC) to lead Potrero Interchange construction and to apply $13.5 million in pass‑zone TUMF credits; staff said a 100% design shows a roughly $7.4 million gap and estimated construction bid risk remains.
Beaumont city council on March 4 approved an amendment to the city's five‑year capital improvement plan and multiple cooperative agreements to advance the Potrero (I‑10/SR‑79) interchange project toward construction, while staff and regional partners outlined a funding shortfall identified in the 100% design and cost estimate.
City staff and consultants reported that Mark Thomas completed the project plans and a 100% cost estimate that showed a funding gap of approximately $7.4 million. The project team told council that Caltrans design comments and added requirements — including a utility relocation for a Williams pipeline — increased the estimate by roughly $5 million during the final months of design.
To close the gap the council approved a CIP amendment that allows the city to apply about $13.5 million in pass‑zone TUMF (transportation uniform mitigation fee) funds, including approximately $2.4 million in remaining Tri Pointe TUMF credit and $600,000 additional WRCOG allocations earmarked to cover outstanding design invoices. Council also approved an agreement authorizing the Riverside County Transportation Commission to act as lead agency for the construction phase and an amendment that increases right‑of‑way and utility allowances by roughly $2 million to cover the Williams pipeline relocation.
Darren Johnson of Mark Thomas told council the team expects to submit final materials to Caltrans this month and is preparing to advertise for bids; RCTC project staff said actual construction costs will be determined by contractor responses and that an award must generally follow within six months of the California Transportation Commission’s (CTC) funding approval. RCTC’s Eric Galloway said the agency will work with the city and bidders on value‑engineering opportunities after bids are received.
Council approved the CIP amendment and the cooperative agreements by roll call. Staff cautioned that the $5 million construction gap is an estimate and that actual bids could be higher; the agreements were structured to allow RCTC to manage construction procurement and disbursement of the pass‑zone funds once the cooperative framework is in place.
The council also approved related administrative actions to distribute the pass‑zone funds and authorized RCTC to act as the construction lead, clearing a major procedural hurdle for the project’s move to the bidding stage.
