The San Bernardino County Transportation Authority celebrated its 50th anniversary.
Thursday’s celebration focused on its leadership and innovation in meeting the transportation needs of one of the fastest-growing population and economic centers in the U.S., transportation officials stated that
“Over the last 50 years, (San Bernardino County Transportation Authority) has delivered many projects that have improved the lives of San Bernardino County residents,” Board of Directors Dawn Rowe said.
Rowe shared a few examples of completed transportation projects, which include:
- Extension of the 210 freeway to San Bernardino.
- Opening the 71 Expressway between Los Angeles and Riverside counties in the western portion of the valley.
- Bringing Metrolink to San Bernardino and Redlands.
- Improvements to the Devore Interchange.
- Completion of the Colton crossing rail-to-rail grade separation project
- Improvements to numerous bridges and roads.
High Desert projects
Some of the High Desert projects not mentioned include completion of the $47 million Green Tree Extension project in 2023.
The project extended Green Tree Boulevard from Hesperia Road east over the railroad tracks via a 600-foot/traffic bridge. The east side of project ends at Yates Road, near Spring Valley Lake and Mojave Narrows Regional Park.
Additionally, the $60 million Ranchero Road Interchange project over Interstate 15 in Hesperia, which was completed in 2015 and the La Mesa/Nisqualli Interchange over Interstate 15 in Victorville in 2013.
General Policy Committee President Art Bishop, who also serves as a Town of Apple Valley councilman, told the Daily Press the Measure I funds have contributed to many of the projects in the High Desert.
“When voters in the county approved the half-cent sales tax for Measure I, those dollars went to transportation improvements across the county and here in the High Desert,” Bishop said. “Our citizens need to know that their taxes are used in the place they live.”
Approved in 1989, and extended by voters in 2004, Measure I today generates about $250 million per year to meet transportation infrastructure needs, county officials stated.
A 1973 beginning
The county’s transportation authority was formed in March 1973 as the San Bernardino Associated Governments. At the time, the county had seen its population swell in excess of 700,000 and was emerging as a major Southern California population, employment and business center.
That growth brought its challenges, too – notably, an outdated mid-century transportation grid that needed significant care and upgrading.
Since then, the transportation authority has emerged as a regional and national leader in bringing innovative transportation solutions to one of the fastest-growing population and economic centers anywhere.
“We are grateful for the vision and determination that our predecessors showed a half- century ago,” Executive Director Raymond Wolfe said. “Today, we confront similar challenges, along with some new ones, but are better equipped than ever to deal with them and improve the quality of life across our county.”
The San Bernardino County Transportation Authority Board consists of 29 members – five supervisors and one delegate from each of the 24 incorporated cities.
Growing population
Along with more cities, the county’s population has continued to grow, tripling to nearly 2.2 million today.
“We are fortunate to live in such a dynamic region, but as our own history has taught us, we need to continue innovating and finding ways to meet the needs of a population that is growing much faster than anyone could have anticipated,” said former Executive Director Deborah Barmack.
Another former Executive Director, Norm King, noted that the transportation authority has taken a leadership role in addressing air quality issues, including endorsing annual smog inspections, promoting public transit and enhancing our highway system to reduce congestion and the accompanying greenhouse gas emissions.
San Bernardino County Transportation Authority is on the front line of bringing hydrogen-powered passenger rail service to the U.S., part of the recently opened Arrow Line, as well as Brightline West’s high-speed rail system from Las Vegas through the High Desert and into the recently rebranded Cucamonga Station.
“From the earliest days of SANBAG, our county transportation agency has looked for – and found – creative ways to connect people and places across the largest geographic county in the U.S.,” Rowe said. “This has also helped to fortify our economy by opening up new business opportunities, attracting more jobs and helping to establish us as the place to live and work in Southern California.”
She also pointed to the importance of Measure I in providing funding for many critical projects. The half-cent sales tax was twice approved by county voters – first in 1989 and again in 2004 – and has funded billions of dollars and leveraged billions more in State and Federal funding.
“The foresight and trust shown by the voters of San Bernardino County played a critical role in the positive growth of the region,” Rowe said.
Daily Press reporter Rene Ray De La Cruz may be reached at 760-951-6227 or RDeLaCruz@VVDailyPress.com. Follow him on Twitter @DP_ReneDeLaCruz