Murrieta Assemblywoman Introduces Legislation to Gain County Control of State Highway 74

The following was submitted for publication on behalf of Assemblywoman Melissa Melendez:

Assemblywoman Melissa Melendez, R-Lake Elsinore, today announced the introduction of her new bill aimed at facilitating the transfer of State Highway Route 74 from the state to the County of Riverside.

“I believe in local control and watching out for the taxpayers of our state,” Melendez said. “By eliminating bureaucratic issues associated with CalTrans and allowing the county to manage and maintain this highway, we’ll reduce the burden on taxpayers.

The six-mile portion of Highway 74 addressed in the legislation is located in the unincorporated area east of the City of Lake Elsinore and west of the City of Perris.

The proposed law, AB 218, will allow the County of Riverside and the state Department of Transportation to negotiate a revenue neutral agreement relieving the State of California from future maintenance and liability costs, while allowing more local control of improvements along this corridor.

“Through this transfer we will finally be able to address the years of neglect and provide the much needed maintenance and improvements this corridor desperately needs,” said Melendez.

Assemblywoman Melissa Melendez represents the 67th Assembly District, which includes the communities of Lake Elsinore, Canyon Lake, Murrieta, Menifee, Wildomar and a portion of Hemet. It also includes the Riverside County unincorporated areas of Lake Mathews, Good Hope, Nuevo, and Winchester.

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