Corona council approves I‑15 toll‑road extension MOU, seeks design input from county and RCTC

The Corona City Council voted unanimously May 6 to approve a memorandum of understanding intended to formalize city coordination with regional partners on the proposed I‑15 toll‑road extension.

Student commenter Dio Coronado asked whether linking the city to the I‑15 would increase traffic and requested specifics about how the city will be involved when the memorandum is sent to county officials. "I want to ask specifically, if this is going to cause probably more traffic," Coronado said, noting concern about safety and congestion on an already busy corridor.

Vice Mayor (speaker 21) and other council members described the vote as a first step and emphasized the need to remain engaged during design: "I want to make sure that we have a seat at the table with RCTC, so we can protect our interests in case there's some opportunity to shortcut," the vice mayor said.

Public Works Director Savat Campu, responding for staff, said the MOU establishes regular coordination and design‑review opportunities: "This MOU is to outline that cooperation… RCTC has already reached out to the city to get our team together with them to make sure that we have these regular meetings throughout the design and the construction process," he said, noting review of designs, processing of encroachment permits and coordination of traffic teams.

Council members said they see potential to relieve congestion at the Calico interchange but warned that detailed impacts will depend on final design. The council approved the MOU by unanimous vote; staff said the city will continue to press for early involvement in design and construction decisions.