RCTC committee approves Phase 1 progressive design‑build contract for I‑15 express lanes southern extension

The Western Riverside County Program & Projects Committee voted to authorize staff to award the Phase 1 progressive design‑build contract for the I‑15 Express Lanes southern extension and to proceed with a set of related agreements needed to advance preliminary design and financing.

Project manager Jeff Dietzler told the committee the procurement produced a preferred proposer, SC Constructors, and that staff is seeking authorization to award a Phase 1 contract to begin preliminary design work. “Today is a big day,” Dietzler said, and summarized that Phase 1 work would include developing a preliminary design, an open‑book cost validation and negotiation toward a guaranteed maximum price (GMP), and coordination on toll integration and city encroachment permits.

The nut graf: The committee approved staff’s recommendation to authorize a Phase 1 PDB contract with a negotiated contract price of about $38,500,000, a future design‑option authorization of roughly $11,600,000, and contingencies that together place the project’s Phase 1 not‑to‑exceed ceiling at about $55,000,000. Staff also sought and received authorization to issue a change order for toll service provider (TSP) design support, approve memorandums of understanding with the cities of Corona and Lake Elsinore, and direct the executive director to finalize the Caltrans toll facility agreement.

Key details and schedule Dietzler said the progressive design‑build procurement began with an RFQ in February 2025; of 88 firms that downloaded the RFQ, four submitted statements of qualifications, two were shortlisted, and one was ultimately determined nonresponsive. The Phase 1 contract negotiation concluded with a negotiated price of about $38.5 million and staff reported obligated Phase 1 funds of $45 million across the program. Dietzler said SC Constructors estimates 14 months of design to reach a negotiable GMP, followed by approximately three months of price negotiation and roughly four months to amend and award the Phase 2 contract; staff currently targets issuance of a Phase 2 notice to proceed in December 2027.

Design options and contingencies Staff presented two advance design option change orders — a lower‑cost option (~$3,375,000) and a larger option (~$8,550,000) — plus a TSP support change order (about $330,000 for the larger design option). Dietzler emphasized the numbers are preliminary and will be negotiated before execution.

Operational, coordination and legal points Dietzler described MOUs with Corona and Lake Elsinore that formalize review periods (comments due in three weeks), encroachment permit procedures and cost responsibility for city betterments. On Caltrans’ concerns about standardizing toll facility agreements statewide, Executive Director Aaron Haik said recent negotiations secured language that preserves RCTC approval authority over lane closures and establishes a consultation process with Caltrans. “We’ve secured that in this agreement,” Haik said, noting the agreement also sets maintenance plan requirements and procedures for annual expenditure plans for excess toll revenue.

Questions from members Commissioners asked about potential overlap with a nearby Caltrans auxiliary lane project and about how the commission would handle situations where design prices exceed affordability. Dietzler said projects would be coordinated to avoid conflicting lane closures within 1.5 miles and described a Day‑90 cost validation and Day‑120 review that allow staff to pivot to an initial operating segment sized to available financing; he also noted the commission can terminate for convenience if contract relations deteriorate.

Vote and next steps A motion to approve the Phase 1 award and supporting documents was moved and seconded; the clerk conducted a roll call and announced Item 7 passed. Following the committee’s approval, staff will finalize negotiations, issue a notice to proceed for Phase 1 (targeted by June 1), and continue work toward a GMP and a Phase 2 authorization.

What remains unclear Several cost figures were presented as preliminary estimates; exact prices for design‑option change orders and final Phase 2 GMP will be determined during negotiations and reported back to the commission.