Wildomar, Murrieta, Temecula Receiving Millions For Street Improvements

Each year, the Riverside County Transportation Commission awards millions of dollars to local cities and the county for road improvement projects.

Once again, Southwest Riverside County was on the receiving end. Out of $152 million awarded Jan. 8, Wildomar is poised to receive more than $1.3 million of the cut, although residents throughout Southwest Riverside County will likely benefit from other funding allocations.

A total of 33 projects will receive funding during the next two years. Of the local projects approved this time around were plans for two bike paths in Wildomar. According to the RCTC, $613,800 was allotted to the city for bicycle paths along Clinton Keith Road and Grand Avenue, and an added $746,640 was awarded for bike paths near David A. Brown Middle School.

In order to move forward, however, Wildomar will have to match the funding in order to complete the projects, and all decisions must first be approved by the city council.

Wildomar has been successful in the past in obtaining grant money for road and sidewalk improvement projects.

Beyond Wildomar’s borders, RCTC approved funding for other local projects, including $16.5 million for widening of Clinton Keith Road in Murrieta and $14.6 million for constructing a new freeway interchange at the I-215/Newport Road in Menifee.

Nearly $13 million was allocated to improve the always-congested I-15/SR-79 South interchange in Temecula. The city is also slated to receive a little over $1.3 million for a Park-n-Ride facility.

Like Wildomar, these other cities will each have to sign a memorandum of understanding that outlines project schedules, funding plans, and local agency match commitments.  

RCTC is the agency that plans and implements transportation and transit improvements in the county and assists local governments with money for local streets and roads.

Much of the $152 million awarded by the RCTC comes from Measure A dollars. In 1988, RCTC proposed the Measure that included a half-cent sales tax for transportation. The Measure passed, and In 2002 voters approved an extension of it until 2039.

Click here to see the full list of approved projects.