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San Bernardino County Transportation Authority

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San Bernardino County Transportation Authority
Overview
HeadquartersSan Bernardino Santa Fe Depot
San Bernardino, California
Operation
Began operation1973; 51 years ago (1973) as San Bernardino Associated Governments[1]

The San Bernardino County Transportation Authority (SBCTA) is the successor to San Bernardino Associated Governments (SANBAG).[2] They are responsible for administering the Measure I half-cent tax which voters in San Bernardino County, California, passed most recently in 2004. The SBCTA conducts transportation planning, construction, and operation in San Bernardino County. The SBCTA is a joint powers authority comprising the entire county and its cities. Every city and county supervisor is provided one seat on the board, and it also includes a nonvoting member from the California Department of Transportation's (Caltrans) District 8.

History

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In 2016, Senate bill 1305, consolidated five different transit agencies into SBCTA. Those agencies were County Transportation Commission, County Transportation Authority, Service Authority for Freeway Emergencies, Congestion Management Agency, and Subregional Planning Agency.[3]

In 2019, SBCTA mulled direct takeover of Omnitrans due to its 520 million dollar deficit.[4] In response to pressure of county supervisors, SBCTA initiated a study of consolidation of Omnitrans called SBCTA County-wide Transit Efficiency Study.[5] By the end of 2020, SBCTA balked at the idea of consolidating Omnitrans under SBCTA due to pension obligations.[6]

Funding

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SBCTA operates with a budget of 1.160 billion dollars as of the 2023 fiscal year[7]

SB Express Lanes

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I-10 Express Lanes

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The SBCTA and Caltrans completed the $929.2 million Phase 1 project to add tolled express lanes to Interstate 10 (I-10) from the Los Angeles County line to Interstate 15 (I-15).[8] Under Phase 1, 18 bridges throughout the corridor will either be replaced or widened to accommodate the new toll lanes.[9] It is expected to be completed by 2023.[10][11]

In 2018, SBCTA choose Transportation Corridor Agencies to be account and payment processing partner for SB Express Lanes[12] [13]

I-15 Express Lanes

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The SBCTA has planned to implement tolled express lanes to I-15 from the Riverside County line to Duncan Canyon Boulevard. Construction is expected to begin in 2023. The project is expected to cost $469.65 million.[14]


Planning

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The SBCTA conducts transportation planning for San Bernardino County, California, as well as aligning with plans from neighboring agencies.

Road projects

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North First Avenue Bridge

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Due to automobile damage sustained to the North First Avenue Bridge in Barstow, the SBCTA took over the replacement of the bridge from the city due to its critical importance, since it passes over the BNSF Southern Transcon rail corridor and yard. The expected cost of the project is $62 million. Currently, it is in the design phase to replace the 1930's bridge.[15][16][17]

Transit projects

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West Valley Connector (BRT)

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The West Valley Connector, also known as the sbX Purple Line,[18] is a 35-mile long (56 km) bus rapid transit project spearheaded by the SBCTA that will connect Pomona with Fontana.[19] The first phase is a 19-mile long (31 km) segment that will run along Holt Boulevard to Ontario International Airport and Metrolink’s Rancho Cucamonga station.[20] Phase 1 will have 21 stations along the route.

Ontario Connector Project

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As a cost-effective solution compared to the proposed extension of the Foothill Extension project from Montclair Transcenter to Ontario International Airport, estimated at around $1-1.5 billion,[21] the SBCTA and the airport are currently in the process of trying to implement a tunnel with autonomous, zero-emission vehicles on an "on-demand" basis from the Metrolink San Bernardino Line's Rancho Cucamonga station to Ontario International Airport.[22]

Initially, The Boring Company proposed constructing a single 2.8-mile (4.5 km) tunnel similar to the Las Vegas Convention Center Loop that would cost $60 million.[23] However, the company eventually dropped out of the project because they refused to submit another refined proposal.[24]

Despite this, the SBCTA moved forward with plans on the project.[25] The new plans for the project include two 4.2-mile (6.8 km) tunnels that will cost roughly $492 million.[26] The SBCTA selected HNTB as their new contractor to design, build, and maintain the project.[27]

In October [28]2024, the proposed route follows a reversed L-shaped alignment consisting of the Rancho Cucamonga Metrolink Station, Milliken Avenue, East Airport Drive towards Ontario airport

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The SBCTA is in the process of double-tracking Metrolink's San Bernardino Line from CP Lilac to Rialto station to increase capacity and frequency within San Bernardino County.[29]

Transit services

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Bus

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The SBCTA provides transit funding for all the bus transit agencies in San Bernardino County. It is also responsible for the oversight of Omnitrans, Victor Valley Transit Authority (VVTA), Needles Area Transit (NAT), Mountain Transit, and Basin Transit.[30]

Fare Subsidy

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In 2023, SBCTA expanded its Free Fares for School K-12 program to all transit agencies in order to boost transit use with San Bernardino County Youth.[31]

Passenger rail

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San Bernardino County is served by and partially funds three of Metrolink's lines. This includes the San Bernardino Line, which has the highest ridership of the entire system, the Inland Empire–Orange County Line, which terminates at the San Bernardino Santa Fe Depot and San Bernardino–Downtown stations, and the Riverside Line, which serves Ontario–East station.

Arrow
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Logo of Arrow

Arrow, formerly the Redlands Passenger Rail Project (RPRP or RPR), is a commuter rail line which runs from the San Bernardino Transit Center in Downtown San Bernardino in the west to the University of Redlands in Redlands in the east. Simulated service testing commenced on September 12, 2022.[32] Service commenced on October 24, 2022.[33]

In 2019, SBCTA ordered Zero emissions multiple unit from Stadler for the Arrow line.[34] The trainset is expected to be in operation by 2024[35]

Van Pool

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SBCTA administers the County's van pool Commuter service called SB Loop. Currently the system consists of 72 vehicles, averaging 37,000 trips per quarter. SBCTA also subsidizes Victor Valley Transit Authority's van pool. Averaging 119,400 trips per quarter in 189 vehicles [36]

Freeway Service Patrol

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In order to reduce congestion, the SBCTA implemented the Freeway Service Patrol (FSP), whose purpose is to tow stranded motorists within the urbanized area of San Bernardino County. Service operates during peak traffic times.[37]

Active transportation

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The SBCTA maintains a countywide active transportation plan. Although San Bernardino County is vast, much of the population is concentrated in the San Bernardino Valley portion in the county's southwest corner. The SBCTA requires complete streets within San Bernardino County when cities apply for roadway expansion grants.[38][39][40]

Pacific Electric Trail

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The Pacific Electric Trail is a 21-mile (34-kilometer) rail trail that has been constructed along the former San Bernardino Line.[41] The Baldwin Park Subdivision within San Bernardino county is owned by SBCTA. SBCTA currently licenses the railroad right of way as a class one bike trail to the cities within the rail corridor. The city of Rialto has expressed in expanding the bike trail to SBCTA, once Union Pacific abandons the rail service in the eastern 2.5 miles of the subdivision.[42][43]

References

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  1. ^ "About SBCTA". SBCTA. Retrieved June 9, 2023.
  2. ^ De La Cruz, Rene Ray (October 6, 2023). "San Bernardino County Transportation Authority celebrates 50th anniversary". Victorville Daily Press. Retrieved November 11, 2023.
  3. ^ "SBCTA Fiscal Year 2023/2024" (PDF). SBCTA. Retrieved October 19, 2023.
  4. ^ "$520 million deficit has Omnitrans eyeing layoffs and bus-line reductions, but is it enough?". San Bernardino Sun. October 21, 2019. Retrieved June 9, 2023.
  5. ^ "Consolidation Study and Innovative Transit Review" (PDF). Omnitrans. San Bernardino County Transportation Authority. Retrieved June 9, 2023.
  6. ^ "Omnitrans dodges takeover, but endures service cuts and layoffs". San Bernardino Sun. January 16, 2021. Retrieved June 9, 2023.
  7. ^ "Annual 2023/2024 Budget" (PDF). SBCTA. Retrieved June 22, 2023.
  8. ^ "I-10 Corridor Project" (PDF). GOSBCTA. July 2019. Retrieved February 25, 2023.
  9. ^ "I-10 Express Lanes".
  10. ^ "I-10 Corridor Project Final Findings" (PDF). GOSBCTA. September 2019. Retrieved February 25, 2023.
  11. ^ "Final project report" (PDF). GOSBCTA. September 2019. Retrieved February 25, 2023.
  12. ^ "San Bernardino Customer Service Walk-In Center Opens in Preparation for Future SB Express Lanes on Interstate 10 | The Toll Roads". thetollroads.com.
  13. ^ "About". SB Express Lanes.
  14. ^ "-15 CORRIDOR PROJECT PA/ED" (PDF). SBCTA. Retrieved May 23, 2022.
  15. ^ "North First Avenue Bridge Over BNSF Railroad Project". SBCTA. Retrieved September 16, 2022.
  16. ^ "'Deficient' bridge may finally be replaced with $3.2M more than planned from Barstow taxpayers". Daily Press. gannett. Retrieved September 16, 2022.
  17. ^ McGee, Charlie. "Barstow declares emergency, enlists $250K to fix 'extreme peril' on First Street Bridge". Victorville Daily Press. Gannett. Retrieved September 16, 2022.
  18. ^ "west valley connector O&M agreements". omnitrans.primegov.com. Retrieved July 5, 2023.
  19. ^ Authority, San Bernardino County Transportation (June 20, 2019). "West Valley Connector Project". ceqanet.opr.ca.gov.
  20. ^ "West Valley Connector (BRT)".
  21. ^ Scauzillo, Steve (May 27, 2020). "Elon Musk's Boring Co. proposes tunnel to Ontario airport as alternative to light-rail". Los Angeles Daily News. MediaNews Group. Daily Bulletin. Retrieved July 12, 2024.
  22. ^ "ONT Connector Project". San Bernardino County Transportation Authority. Retrieved July 12, 2024.
  23. ^ Scauzillo, Steve (May 27, 2020). "Elon Musk's Boring Co. proposes tunnel to Ontario airport as alternative to light-rail". Los Angeles Daily News. MediaNews Group. Daily Bulletin. Retrieved July 12, 2024.
  24. ^ John, Darryn (July 20, 2022). "The Boring Company abandons plans for Ontario Airport loop in California". Drive Tesla. Retrieved October 4, 2022.
  25. ^ "Local News San Bernardino County moves forward with underground tunnel plan without Elon Musk". CBS News. July 28, 2022. Retrieved July 12, 2024.
  26. ^ Lin, Summer (July 27, 2022). "Elon Musk abandoned plans for a four-mile tunnel at Ontario airport. Locals are picking it up". Los Angeles Times. Retrieved July 12, 2024.
  27. ^ "HNTB selected by SBCTA for Ontario Airport tunnel project" (Press release). HNTB. January 27, 2021. Archived from the original on February 4, 2021. Retrieved January 2, 2023.
  28. ^ "Ont Connector DEIR" (PDF). SBCTA. SBCTA. Retrieved October 19, 2024.
  29. ^ "Metrolink San Bernardino Line Double Track Project (Lilac to Rancho)". SBCTA. Retrieved September 16, 2022.
  30. ^ "Public Transit and Rail". SBCTA. Retrieved May 20, 2022.
  31. ^ "Popular Omnitrans Free Fares for School Program to Expand Countywide in 2023-2024 School Year". www.citynewsgroup.com. Retrieved June 9, 2023.
  32. ^ "Redlands rail line to begin simulated service Monday". SB Sun. San Bernardino Sun. September 10, 2022. Retrieved September 10, 2022.
  33. ^ "Arrow | San Bernardino Redlands Train | Metrolink". www.metrolinktrains.com. Retrieved October 18, 2022.
  34. ^ "San Bernardino County agency orders its first zero-emission train for Redlands rail service". Redlands Daily Facts. November 16, 2019. Retrieved July 3, 2023.
  35. ^ "North America's first hydrogen-powered train coming to SBCTA". www.masstransitmag.com. Mass Transit Magazine. September 22, 2022. Retrieved July 3, 2023.
  36. ^ "Agenda - Thursday, August 10, 2023" (PDF). Retrieved August 6, 2023.
  37. ^ "Freeway Service Patrol". SBCTA. Retrieved September 16, 2022.
  38. ^ "Non - Motorized Transportation Plan (2018)". SBCTA. Retrieved September 16, 2022.
  39. ^ "Active San Bernardino Data". sbcta. Retrieved September 16, 2022.
  40. ^ "Complete Streets". SBCTA. Retrieved September 16, 2022.
  41. ^ "Trail Features". City of Rancho Cucamonga. Archived from the original on June 29, 2013. Retrieved March 18, 2013.
  42. ^ "Board of Directors Meeting July 5, 2023" (PDF). San Bernardino County Transportation Authority. SBCTA. Retrieved July 3, 2023.
  43. ^ "Pacific Electric Trail Extension". City of Rialto. Retrieved November 11, 2023.
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