Washington—Senator Dianne Feinstein (D-Calif.) today announced the Riverside County Transportation Commission (RCTC) will be awarded the final portion of a $444 million loan from the U.S. Department of Transportation to complete critical infrastructure improvements on Riverside County’s State Route 91. 

The Transportation Infrastructure Finance and Innovation Act (TIFIA) loan will finance the expansion of Route 91 Freeway through Corona and add three lanes in each direction.  The project is estimated to create 4,600 jobs in Riverside County and more than 16,000 jobs across California.  

Today’s announcement (subject to negotiation of final terms) completes the financing needed to commence construction.  In December, RCTC received a commitment for a portion of this loan.

“Transportation Secretary Ray LaHood called me this morning to let me know the good news, and I applaud him for recognizing the urgent need to expand SR-91.  The 91 Corridor Improvement Project will improve the lives of millions of Californians while substantially growing the regional economy across Southern California,” Feinstein said.

Feinstein has been a strong advocate for this federal loan money, describing to Secretary LaHood the pressing need to reduce congestion and more efficiently move goods from the Ports of Los Angeles and Long Beach to the rest of the country.

“Last month while driving on State Route 91, I saw firsthand the congestion that hamstrings hundreds of thousands of Californians, not only during rush hour, but 24 hours a day,” added Feinstein.  “Today’s announcement is great news for Riverside County, improving the 91 freeway and creating 16,200 jobs, including 4,600 jobs in Riverside County alone.”

Click here to read Senator Feinstein’s most recent letter to Secretary LaHood.

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