Jeffries´ Bill to Relieve Congestion on I-15 Unanimously Passes out of Assembly
California Political Desk
May 30, 2008
Sacramento — Assemblyman Jeffries´ AB 1954 unanimously passed out of the Assembly Floor (73-0) with bi-partisan support. If approved by Senate and signed by the Governor, AB 1954 will authorize the Riverside County Transportation Commission (RCTC) to develop and administer a system of toll lanes in the medians of Interstate 15 between the San Bernardino County line and San Diego County line.
Measure A transportation tax dollars will be used to build one mixed flow (free and open to all) lane in each direction along the I-15 corridor, as promised when voters approved the measure in 1988.
Meanwhile, RCTC will build 2 new High Occupancy Toll (HOT) Lanes in each direction of the I-15 to relieve the traffic congestion generated by the growth of our region. RCTC would likely not have the financial capacity to build these lanes for another generation without the passage of AB 1954.
The four HOT Lanes, which were not included in Measure A funding, will be paid for with future toll revenues, not taxes or another bond measure. Any extra money that comes from the toll fees must be spent on other transportation improvements solely within the I-15 corridor, which will continue to benefit the general public.
The HOT Lanes will benefit both toll lane users and non toll lane drivers alike. Each HOT Lane will offer an alternative to those drivers willing to pay the fee and will provide an incentive for carpooling by offering a free or a steeply discounted rate. Every paying customer and every carpool vehicle that rides on the HOT Lanes will remove a vehicle from the free lanes, easing congesting for everyone.
"I am pleased that the Assembly recognized the need for traffic congestion relief on I-15. This project won´t cost the state a penny. This is critical when California undergoes such a big budget deficit this year," Jeffries said. "I also applaud the Riverside County Transportation Commission for their vision and dedication to improving traffic in the region, and their willingness to consider different approaches to increasing capacity on our roads, highways and freeways."
AB 1954 now moves on to the Senate for further action.
Measure A transportation tax dollars will be used to build one mixed flow (free and open to all) lane in each direction along the I-15 corridor, as promised when voters approved the measure in 1988.
Meanwhile, RCTC will build 2 new High Occupancy Toll (HOT) Lanes in each direction of the I-15 to relieve the traffic congestion generated by the growth of our region. RCTC would likely not have the financial capacity to build these lanes for another generation without the passage of AB 1954.
The four HOT Lanes, which were not included in Measure A funding, will be paid for with future toll revenues, not taxes or another bond measure. Any extra money that comes from the toll fees must be spent on other transportation improvements solely within the I-15 corridor, which will continue to benefit the general public.
The HOT Lanes will benefit both toll lane users and non toll lane drivers alike. Each HOT Lane will offer an alternative to those drivers willing to pay the fee and will provide an incentive for carpooling by offering a free or a steeply discounted rate. Every paying customer and every carpool vehicle that rides on the HOT Lanes will remove a vehicle from the free lanes, easing congesting for everyone.
"I am pleased that the Assembly recognized the need for traffic congestion relief on I-15. This project won´t cost the state a penny. This is critical when California undergoes such a big budget deficit this year," Jeffries said. "I also applaud the Riverside County Transportation Commission for their vision and dedication to improving traffic in the region, and their willingness to consider different approaches to increasing capacity on our roads, highways and freeways."
AB 1954 now moves on to the Senate for further action.