The past couple of IVCLA meetings have been devoted to transportation information.  In March we met with a representative from The San Bernardino Associated Governments (SANBAG) who updated us on their high priority projects for funding through the Trade Corridors Improvement Fund (TCIF).  These projects were determined most important for our region to help mitigate the extreme freight movement challenges which increase truck and rail traffic, delays, noise and pollution.  They are:

Interstate 15 Widening & Devore Interchange Reconstruction - widening of I15 and reconstruction of the I15/I215 interchange in Devore will help eliminate one of the worst traffic bottlenecks in the region.

Interstate 10 Corridor Logistics Access - Interchange Improvements - rebuilding deficient interchanges along this freight movement corridor will significantly reduce truck delays, increase throughput and improve access to key logistic hubs.

San Bernardino County Grade Separations - separating railroad crossings from surface streets at key locations along the Alameda Corridor East.

High Desert Corridor, Phase 1A - building a new roadway connector from the I15 to Victorville’s Southern California Logistics Airport.

Our April speaker represented a group called Growth Options for the 21st Century which is providing information to garner support for the Freight Rail Infrastructure Capacity Expansion Act (FRICEA) currently being considered by Congress.  This act will create policies that will build a more efficient transportation system specifically utilizing the rail system to relieve our overburdened highways.   While railroads are investing record amounts in their networks, they need the tax incentives this act would provide for rail capacity enhancements to bridge the funding gaps.  According to the American Association of State Highway and Transportation Officials, two major benefits of utilizing trains for freight movement are:

· One intermodal train can carry as many as 280 truck trailers and trains hauling other types of freight can carry the loads of 500 trucks. 

· Locomotives are three or more times more fuel efficient than trucks.  One locomotive can move one ton of freight over 420 miles on a single gallon of diesel.

The IVCLA supports transportation infrastructure improvements and will be working with both of these groups to further awareness and action for these projects.