Senator Bogh discusses IE Caucus, transportation infrastructure funding, ongoing projects
IE Caucus Works to Secure Transportation Infrastructure Funding for the Inland Empire – By Senator Rosilicie Ochoa Bogh
The Inland Empire is one of the fastest growing regions in the state, experiencing dramatic growth in both population and the movement of goods in recent years. This growth has created significant competition for space on our roads and highways between trucks transporting goods and residents commuting to work. We must ensure our transportation network keeps pace with our population and economic growth.
LEADING THE RCNS HEADLINES:
Major injuries reported after head-on crash involving trailered horse in Lake Mathews
Excessive speed, DUI suspected in fatal Winchester crash that killed Menifee mom, 32
Missing San Diego girl & 3 women, including Moreno Valley victim, rescued from sex trafficker
Three hospitalized after Temecula head-on collision that left two victims trapped
Alleged gunman arrested after fatal shooting of Hemet man, vehicle pursuit
The state has a budget surplus this fiscal year, and projects a surplus of $31 billion for the fiscal year beginning in July. Add to that robust cap-and-trade revenues and considerable new funds promised by the federal infrastructure package, and there is excellent opportunity to support projects that will greatly benefit the 4.6 million residents of the Inland Empire by reducing traffic congestion, streamlining the movement of goods and freight, and improving the quality of life for residents.
As your representative in the State Senate and during my time as the Chair of the Inland Empire Caucus, I fully understand how vital it is that our region secure some of these surplus funds for our transportation and infrastructure project needs.
The state budget for the upcoming fiscal year first started being fleshed out in January. Seizing the opportunity, I along with many other members of the IE Caucus sent a letter to Governor Newsom, Senate President pro Tempore Toni Atkins and Assembly Speaker Anthony Rendon requesting $2.245 billion in budget funds for transportation infrastructure projects for our region.
We worked with the regional transportation planning agencies, the Riverside County Transportation Commission (RCTC) and the San Bernardino County Transportation Authority (SBCTA) to provide with the letter a portfolio of multimodal transportation projects that will connect our diverse communities, offer mobility choices, promote economic prosperity, reduce traffic congestion, streamline the movement of goods and freight, and advance a climate-resilient future.
Some of those projects include:
- Interstate 10 Corridor Freight and Express
This project will provide two express lanes in each direction from just east of I-15 to the City of Redlands, connecting to the I- 10 Corridor Contract 1 express lanes currently under construction.
- Coachella Valley-San Gorgonio Rail Corridor Service
This project would provide passenger rail service between LA and Coachella Valley. (See related video.)
- Interstate 10 Bypass
This project would build a new road south of I-10 linking Banning to Cabazon.
In the letter, we also pointed out that the residents of both counties have demonstrated their commitment to improving transportation problems in the region by approving local sales tax measures to provide an ongoing source of funds for transportation projects. Even so, local desire and commitment still would require a significant infusion of state and federal funding to deliver these regionally transformative transportation projects.
I commend my legislative colleagues and the members of the RCTC and SBCTA for their collaborative and bipartisan effort. The requested funds would provide some much-needed relief and greatly assist in our efforts to reduce congestion, improve air quality and enhance the overall quality of life in San Bernardino and Riverside counties.
SEE OTHER RECENT RCNS HEADLINE NEWS:
Motorcyclist killed after crashing into SUV in Temecula
Local motorcyclist who ran red light ID’d after deadly Riverside collision
More than 100 children victimized by California man who targeted children as young as 6 online
Accused of sex trafficking at least 7 juvenile victims, Indio suspect nabbed at border checkpoint
I will continue to keep you informed on our progress in securing the transportation funds. Also, please feel free to contact my office for more information on this or any other state issue.
Submitted by the Office of Senator Rosilicie Ochoa Bogh
For more information, please visit https://ochoa-bogh.cssrc.us/
Contact the editor: [email protected]
Trevor Montgomery, 51, moved in 2017 to the Intermountain area of Shasta County from Riverside County and operates Riverside County News Source (RCNS) and Shasta County News Source (SCNS). Both are stringer organizations, providing breaking news coverage and community interest stories for other mainstream media organizations throughout the two regions they serve.
Additionally, he writes or has written for several other news organizations; including Riverside County based newspapers Valley News, Valley Chronicle, Anza Valley Outlook, and Hemet & San Jacinto Chronicle; the Bonsall/Fallbrook Village News in San Diego County; and Mountain Echo in Shasta County. He is also a regular contributor to Thin Blue Line TV and Law Enforcement News Network and has had his stories featured on news stations throughout the Southern California and North State regions.
Trevor spent 10 years in the U.S. Army as an Orthopedic Specialist before joining the Riverside County Sheriff’s Department in 1998. He was medically retired after losing his leg, breaking his back, and suffering both spinal cord and brain injuries in an off-duty accident. (Click here to see segment of Discovery Channel documentary of Trevor’s accident.)
During his time with the sheriff’s department, Trevor worked at several different stations; including Robert Presley Detention Center, Southwest Station in Temecula, Hemet/Valle Vista Station, Ben Clark Public Safety Training Center, and Lake Elsinore Station; along with other locations.
Trevor’s assignments included Corrections, Patrol, DUI Enforcement, Boat and Personal Water-Craft based Lake Patrol, Off-Road Vehicle Enforcement, Problem Oriented Policing Team, and Personnel/Background Investigations. He finished his career while working as a Sex Crimes and Child Abuse Investigator and was a court-designated expert in child abuse and child sex-related crimes.
Trevor has been married for more than 30 years and was a foster parent to more than 60 children over 13 years. He is now an adoptive parent and his “fluid family” includes 13 children and 18 grandchildren.