One of the items before the board of San Bernardino Associated Governments (SANBAG) is a draft on how toll lanes would operate and how money would be collected and spent at the board’s regular meeting that starts at 10:30 a.m. on the second floor of 1170 West 3rd St. in San Bernardino.
The Board is currently looking at two plans to bring toll lanes to the 10 freeway from Pomona to Redlands and the 15 freeway from Riverside to Hesperia. The current Toll Lanes and Toll Roads in Southern California go mostly unused and empty leaving more freeway unused when traffic is already so bad. To make matters worse lets not forget the lower economic status of most Inland Empire residents so to levy a new FEE on residents seems heartless. Their is mixed reaction to the idea and it seems the crowd against Toll Lanes has the most community support but is getting snubbed by the County Board.
Bryon Thornberry said via Facebook “Toll=Tax, CA is already one of the most taxed states in the US.”
Tressy Capps one of the leaders looking to halt this idea in it’s tracks said this “I discovered the CAG meetings for the 1-10 corridor project (TOLL lanes) on the website and went to the meeting in Colton on Mar. 18, 2015 I was stunned at the lack of transparency and secretive nature of the meeting. I was told I could not videotape the meeting. They mentioned checking with their attorney, which felt like some sort of threat. I did not feel welcome at all and now doubt they have any real intention to disclose their TOLL lane plans in a meaningful way that the public can legitimately engage in. The feedback I have received when discussing the prospect of TOLL lanes with the public is overwhelmingly negative. One needs investigative skills to even begin to piece together all the pieces of this TOLL lane puzzle SANBAG has so cleverly concealed.” Here is video of Mrs. Capps being shut down https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6bAfY5j5tcs
Councilman Shawn O’Connell City of Rialto – Said “I was not briefed of or made aware of Toll Lanes in the Inland Empire” & “I look forward to learning more about this issue”
The problem with these meetings is people with their own pocketbooks in mind are making decisions that affect the community at large and they don’t seem to care about the communities opinion or thoughts. A group has begun a page on facebook Called TOLL FREE IE ( https://www.facebook.com/tollfreeie?fref=ts )
Tim Watkins spokesman for SANBAG said in an interview with the PE
“Carpool lanes are being considered for I-10 because that freeway is more heavily used, said SANBAG spokesman Tim Watkins. Approving the toll policies will allow the project study process to move forward, he said.
Any new lanes are years away from being built, Watkins said, adding the final environmental document likely won’t be ready until at least 2017.” http://www.pe.com/articles/lanes-763532-toll-board.html
SANBAG is represented by a large group of local leaders. The city of Rialto is represented by Mayor Deborah Robertson a list of board members are listed below:
Member Jurisdictions and Board Members – 01/26/15
President L. Dennis Michael, City of Rancho Cucamonga
Vice President Ryan McEachron, City of Victorville
Rich Kerr City of Adelanto
Curt Emick Town of Apple Valley
Julie McIntyre City of Barstow
Bill Jahn City of Big Bear Lake
Dennis Yates City of Chino
Ed Graham City of Chino Hills
Frank Navarro City of Colton
Michael Tahan City of Fontana
Darcy McNaboe City of Grand Terrace
Mike Leonard City of Hesperia
Larry McCallon City of Highland
Rhodes “Dusty” Rigsby City of Loma Linda
Paul Eaton City of Montclair
Edward Paget City of Needles
Alan Wapner City of Ontario
Jon Harrison City of Redlands
Deborah Robertson City of Rialto
R. Carey Davis City of San Bernardino
Joel Klink City of Twentynine Palms
Ray Musser City of Upland
Dick Riddell City of Yucaipa
George Huntington Town of Yucca Valley
Robert Lovingood County of San Bernardino
Janice Rutherford County of San Bernardino
James Ramos County of San Bernardino
Curt Hagman County of San Bernardino
Josie Gonzales County of San Bernardino
Ray Wolfe Executive Director, SANBAG
Basem Muallem Caltrans District 8 Ex-Officio Member
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