Politics & Government

Commutes In Riverside County Are 'Unsatisfactory, Terrible,' Report Finds

Riverside County residents say freeways need to be better maintained and public transit more accessible, according to the results of a survey released today by an Inland Empire congressman.

Rep. Mark Takano, D-Riverside, commissioned the 15-page "State of Transportation in the Inland Empire" report, which sought to identify area motorists' greatest concerns, as well as get a sampling of what they would like to see change in the future.

CLICK HERE TO READ THE FULL REPORT

"In 2010, the American Society of Civil Engineers gave the transportation infrastructure in Riverside County a 'D' -- a failing grade," Takano said. "The survey my office conducted ... gave my constituents an opportunity to directly share their views on what the transportation infrastructure priorities of the Inland Empire should be and what areas need to be improved upon."

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Roughly 550 residents were polled, nearly three-quarters of them from Riverside and smaller percentages from surrounding cities, according to Takano's office.

The overwhelming majority said freeway maintenance needed to be a top priority.

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The survey also found people want:

-- increased Metrolink and bus services;

-- more carpool lanes and bicycle paths; and

-- more emphasis on pedestrian and cyclist safety.

According to the report, a third of commuters complained of spending more than an hour in traffic daily, while 50 percent said they were stuck in traffic three times a week.

Sixty percent of respondents described their commutes as "unsatisfactory" or "terrible."

Takano hoped the findings, along with a 2013 American Society of Civil Engineers' report that characterized 68 percent of roads in California as overdue for repairs and upgrades, would provide impetus for transportation legislation that improves California's road infrastructure and ensures expanded access to public transit, particularly for seniors and low-income residents. --City News Service


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