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Council withdraws Pennsylvania grade-separation project from 2024 TCEP, will reapply in 2026
Summary
After staff and the Riverside County Transportation Commission outlined utility, coordination and funding risks tied to a June 2027 'ready-to-list' deadline, the council authorized withdrawing the Pennsylvania Avenue grade-separation project from the 2024 TCEP allocation and reapplying for the 2026 cycle to strengthen readiness and pursue additional funding.
City staff and representatives from the Riverside County Transportation Commission (RCTC) presented an update on the Pennsylvania Avenue grade separation, describing the project as the city's largest and most complex transportation infrastructure undertaking and identifying multiple risks — utility relocations, Caltrans access issues, Union Pacific coordination, and a funding gap discovered as design advanced from 30% to 65%.
Aaron Hake, executive director of RCTC, told the council the TCEP award requires construction funds to be allocated by June 2027 and that the project must demonstrate 'ready-to-list' (RTL) status to keep the allocation. Hake said the commission had exhausted available extensions and that the project faces identifiable risks that could jeopardize RTL. "Nothing no decision that you make tonight carries no risk," he said, urging the council to weigh options.
Staff recommended voluntarily withdrawing from the current 2024 TCEP cycle and reapplying to the 2026 cycle to allow more time to finalize design, resolve coordination issues, strengthen right-of-way and utility agreements, and pursue additional federal and state competitive grants. After extended council questions and discussion of alternatives, a councilmember moved to authorize the city manager to withdraw from the 2024 TCEP and reapply for the 2026 cycle; the motion was seconded and adopted by roll call.
