Ken Calvert

Transportation

The 44th Congressional District encompasses some of the fastest growing communities in the nation.  As is often the case, population growth has been closely followed by increased demands on transportation infrastructure.  The Inland Empire region, which consists of Riverside and San Bernardino Counties, was recently bestowed the dubious distinction of having the highest commuting cost in the nation.  Just last year, another study determined that residents of the city of Riverside had the unhealthiest commute in America.

ON TIME Act

The Port of Los Angeles and Long Beach processed more than 10 million containers last year, all of which either ended up on a truck or train that drivers must compete with as they commute on a daily basis.  The congestion problem occurring in southern California is an example of a mounting nationwide problem that must be addressed.   The answer to congestion caused from increased trade is not to curb trade, but rather it is to figure out how to move goods more efficiently.

Earlier this year, I introduced H.R. 5102, called the ON TIME Act (Our Nation’s Trade Infrastructure, Mobility, and Efficiency Act), in an effort to meet the goods movement challenge.   The ON TIME Act will fund the construction of high-priority transportation projects, such as grade separations, to alleviate congestion in our nation's trade corridors through a dedicated trade-based funding stream.  The legislations also calls for the designation of key goods movement routes, known as National Trade Gateway Corridors, extending out from every port of entry in the country, including land, air and sea ports.

The ON TIME Act generates its funding through the establishment of a nominal value-based fee on all goods entering and exiting through every official U.S. port of entry. The fee is equal to 0.075 percent of the stated value of the shipment but is capped at $500. The fee mechanism allows 100 percent of the funds collected from a port to fund transportation projects in its corresponding corridor.  For example, if the Port of Los Angeles generates $200 million worth of revenue from this fee, then all of the $200 million will go into transportation projects in the corridor extending out from the port.

Riverside-Orange County Corridor     

The 91 freeway is far too congested.  Over 250,000 automobiles use the 91 freeway daily to commute between Orange and Riverside Counties and the number of cars is expected to nearly double in the coming years.  I have been working with the Riverside County Transportation Commission (RCTC) and the Orange County Transportation Authority (OCTA) to implement short-term and long-term solutions to improve traffic flow.  In the short-term, RCTC and OCTA have built several auxiliary lanes and continue to improve specific chokepoints along the route, such as the SR-91 / SR-71 interchange. 

In the long-term, we must build a new route that connects Riverside and Orange County.  A recently completed study suggested one possible solution is to build a corridor connecting State Route 133 in Orange County and Interstate 15 at Cajalco Road in Riverside.  I share many people’s frustration by the number of studies required before construction can begin, but they are necessary to complete before any concrete can be poured.  In 2005, I helped secure $15.8 million to further complete these corridor studies.  I will continue to work to secure the funding for improvements along SR-91 and for a new corridor between the counties. 

Grade Separations

Riverside County is part of a national shipping corridor that extends from the Long Beach and Los Angeles ports to the East Coast.  Trains carrying goods through our communities have seriously impacted traffic in our area.  Essentially, we are bearing the effects of a national rail system that does little to benefit our region directly.  Redesigning intersections between roads and railroads with grade separations, which allows traffic to pass over or under the trains, helps alleviate traffic delays in the region.  However, each grade separation costs an average of $27 million, depending on the complexity of each intersection.  Riverside County needs more than $400 million to complete all of the grade separations in our area. 
 
Completing the 241 Foothill South

As you may know, the Foothill-South Toll Road will complete Orange County’s 67-mile toll road system.  Currently, the Foothill Toll Road (State Route 241) ends at Oso Parkway.  The Foothill-South will allow drivers to continue further south to Interstate 5 near the Orange and San Diego County line.  The general route of the project has been on Orange County’s Master Plan of Arterial Highways since 1981.

The Foothill-South has undergone an extensive 20-year planning process.  The current and future need for an additional north-south highway in south Orange County is well documented and quite apparent to regular commuters in the area.  While most south County residents recognize the need to reduce traffic congestion, some understandably have concerns about the potential negative impacts associated with constructing a new highway.

Under federal, state, and local laws and regulations the project has been and will continue to be subject to a great deal of analysis to ensure there are adequate environmental protections and mitigation of impacts.  Currently, a number of federal and state agencies are reviewing the project in conjunction with regulatory processes that must be completed before construction can occur.

I strongly believe that the Foothill-South Toll Road can and should be built in a manner that eases congestion and adequately mitigates impacts to the environment.  In doing so, I am convinced we can improve the lives of residents by reducing traffic without sacrificing the wonderful environment along the south Orange County foothills and coastlines.