Chino recently scored a victory to gain more local control over Highway 83, or a 6.3-mile portion of Euclid Avenue, when the California Transportation Commission approved turning over the segment of road to the city. This will allow the city to move forward with projects that they say will improve traffic flow along the corridor.
The California Transportation Commission approved the relinquishment this spring, and in June, Caltrans gave the city $18.8 million for maintenance to improve and beautify the segment of Euclid that runs from the 71 Freeway to Riverside Drive.
“This relinquishment represents years of collaboration and negotiation by city staff on behalf of our community,” Mayor Eunice Ulloa said in a news release. “Local control gives Chino a stronger voice in the future of a corridor that thousands of residents, businesses and visitors rely on every day.”
The city plans to start projects to improve traffic flow and safety and make the Euclid Avenue corridor more attractive.
Now that the city controls this part of the road, city officials say they can pursue county, state and federal grants to modernize the corridor, enhance safety and improve mobility. Local control also makes it easier to coordinate improvements and signal synchronization efforts with agencies in Ontario and the San Bernardino County Transportation Authority, plus reduce the level of Caltrans oversight for upgrade projects, which will streamline planning, design and construction, the city said. One such project is the Euclid Bridge Project, which would raise and expand Euclid Avenue over Chino Creek to reduce flood risk.
Short-term improvements include maintaining potholes, traffic signals, weed abatement, sign replacements, debris removal and catch basin cleaning. Longer-term improvements will focus on pavement rehabilitation, upgrading Omnitrans transit stops, upgrading traffic signal equipment, and beautification, according to the city.
World Car Free Day
Riverside Transit Agency is celebrating World Car Free Day on Sept. 22 by offering free rides on all local, CommuterLink and GoMicro buses. This annual event encourages people to check out alternative transportation options to help reduce traffic jams and improve air quality. Anyone can ride RTA fare-free all day long on Sept. 22.
Back-to-school safety
We’d like to share important back-to-school safety tips from a post that the Murrieta and Riverside police departments recently shared on their Facebook pages, about stopping for school buses and safe driving during school pick-up times.
Remember to stop when a school bus has its red lights flashing and its stop arm extended. Do not go around the bus. If the school bus is on the same side of the road that you are, stay far enough behind the bus while it’s stopped. If the bus is stopped on a divided road or a road with a barrier (like a raised median) in the center, then vehicles on the opposite side of the road do not have to stop and may proceed with caution.
Also, when picking up and dropping off students at a school, don’t stop or park in red curb zones. Put down your cellphone and follow the directions of any crossing guards. Slow down in school zones, be aware of kids who may be walking and riding bikes or scooters, and follow the posted speed limits.
Do you commute to work in the Inland Empire? Spend a lot of time in your vehicle? Have questions about driving, freeways, toll roads or parking? If so, write or call On the Road and we’ll try to answer your questions. Please include your question or issue, name, city of residence, phone number and email address. Write ontheroad@scng.com or call 951-368-9995. Note that we may use material from letters or phone calls in future columns.