Report: Lake Elsinore Roads Fall Into 'Poor' Category

By Renee Schiavone and City News Service:

The nearly 17,000 miles of streets, roads and bridges throughout Riverside County rank just above average compared to other parts of the state, according to a survey released this week, but portions of some routes are overdue for repair or replacement.

The California State Association of Counties and the League of California Cities published their biennial California Statewide Local Streets and Roads Needs Assessment, which gave the state an overall grade of 66 for its transportation infrastructure -- down from 68 two years ago.

The survey studied bridges, roads and streets in all 58 counties, grading them on a scale of 0 to 100, with the latter number representing the absolute best.

The statewide average figure reflected worsening conditions that, if left unresolved, would increase costs to local governments responsible for maintaining the corridors and motorists traveling on them, researchers said.

As it stands, the biennial report estimated that the funding required to restore routes to optimal condition approaches $78.3 billion over the next 10 years.

The current annual funding level of $1.7 billion is 77 percent below the $7.3 billion in yearly commitments determined necessary to bring the whole roads network into “safe and reliable condition,” according to League of California Cities Executive Director Chris McKenzie.

“Our local streets and roads serve as the backbone of California’s entire transportation system,” McKenzie said. “The continual deterioration of this system not only threatens the safety of all Californians but also our economy.”

Overall, Riverside County earned a grade of 70, putting it just inside the “at- risk” category, according to the report. Neighboring San Bernardino County received a 71, placing it just inside the “good” category.

Only three other counties were designated good -- Nevada, San Joaquin and Santa Clara.

Not all cities in Riverside County were below the 70 mark, though. According to the report, parts of Banning, Beaumont, Calimesa, Coachella, Indian Wells, Rancho Mirage and Palm Desert were in the “estimated good” category, with grades from 71-100.

Eastvale, Norco, Menifee, Cathedral City and Moreno Valley were in the “at lower risk” category, which ranges from 61-70. Jurupa Valley was considered “estimated at lower risk.”

According to the survey, areas where road conditions ranked “poor” in Riverside County included parts of Canyon Lake, Lake Elsinore, Murrieta and San Jacinto, which were all in the grades 0-49 category.

The city of Perris’ roads were just shy of hitting the “poor” mark, coming in ”at higher risk” with a grade of 50-60.

All other areas of Riverside County were ranked “good.”

The survey indicated the county would need to spend $5.2 billion over the next 10 years to bring all surfaces, including more than 100 bridges, into “safe and reliable” condition.

(Image via Shutterstock)