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RCTC hears detailed briefing and concerns on proposed 241/91 Express Connector; modeling and local impacts debated
Summary
Staff and TCA representatives briefed the commission on the proposed 241/91 Express Connector and associated 91 Corridor projects. Presenters described a $524 million TCA-funded connector, modeling by Stantec, operating metrics to protect 91 express lanes, and progressive demand-management controls; commissioners pressed for more local intersection analysis and pledged follow-up modeling and outreach.
Mr. Thomas (RCTC presenter) and TCA staff, including Ryan Chamberlain, briefed commissioners on the 241/91 Express Connector project and related 91 Corridor improvements. The connector is proposed as a median‑to‑median tolled link allowing movements between the 241 and 91 express lanes; the 2025 cost estimate is $524,000,000 funded by TCA and repayable from connector toll revenue.
Presenters described traffic‑modeling results from Stantec, an established corridor modeler. RCTC staff highlighted operating performance metrics that would limit negative impacts on existing operations, including maintaining express‑lane speeds of 60 mph or greater, allowing no more than 200 vehicles per hour to exit at the county line, and limiting peak period flow to a maximum capacity of 3,000 vehicles per hour at the east end near I‑15. The presentation explained progressive demand management controls: dynamic toll pricing (modeled tolls between $4 and $10 for connector users), connector metering (a toll‑meter akin to a ramp meter), HOV‑only operational modes (initial HOV2+ with governance provision to increase to HOV3+ if required), and a transit‑only fallback mode if other measures fail.
Commissioners raised numerous concerns during extended Q&A. Representatives from Corona and other jurisdictions questioned model inputs, detection methods and growth assumptions used by Stantec and requested additional verification of how many vehicles would divert to local streets (for example, Green River Road and Bedford Canyon intersections). Commissioners also pressed on the schedule and interaction with the Eastbound Corridor Operations Project (ECOP), which could increase demand on RCTC facilities. Staff acknowledged modeling limitations, committed to follow‑up analysis and additional modeling runs funded by TCA, and emphasized the need for a multi‑agency governance team to monitor real‑time performance and implement mitigation measures.
No decision was taken at the meeting; staff and TCA will return with refined modeling, governance terms and additional community outreach. Presenters warned that schedule assumptions are optimistic and that final master and operating agreements must give RCTC authority to deploy progressive demand-management tools to protect corridor operations.
