TRANSPORTATION REVENUE AND PLANNED INVESTMENT REMAIN STEADY BETWEEN 23/24 AND 24/25
A comprehensive, well-maintained, and effective road and transit network is important for commuters to get to and from their jobs. It is also essential for efficient goods movement through the region and for visitors and tourists to access the natural and recreational opportunities available throughout the county. Consistent and adequate investment in the county’s transportation system reflects a commitment to supporting the economic vitality and quality of life of the region. This indicator measures planned investment in the county’s transportation system, including investments in state highways, local highways, and transit (bus and rail), as reported in the biennial Southern California Association of Governments (SCAG) Federal Transportation Improvement Program (FTIP).[1] It also tracks investment through the local half-cent sales tax for transportation known as Measure I, which was first approved by voters in 1989 and renewed in 2004.
TREND
After the significant Measure I revenue increase in fiscal year 20/21 and 21/22 (largely attributed to the Wayfair decision by the U.S. Supreme Court, which affirmed states’ right to collect sales taxes on online purchases from out-of-state sellers), revenue growth has tapered off and has been relatively flat between fiscal year 21/22 and fiscal year 23/24. Fiscal year 24/25 revenue is projected to be the same as fiscal year 23/24, at $249 million. Projections through fiscal year 29/30 average 3% growth annually.
MEASURE I REVENUE REMAINS FLAT BETWEEN FISCAL YEAR 23/24 AND PROJECTED FISCAL YEAR 25/26
Actual and Forecast Measure I Revenue (in Millions) for San Bernardino County Transportation Projects, 2015/16-2029/30
Compared to the 2023-2028 funding cycle, per capita planned transportation investment in San Bernardino County for the 2025-2030 funding cycle remained relatively steady, increasing just 1%. In comparison, Los Angeles County planned investment grew by 22%, Orange County grew 12%, and Riverside County grew 7%. San Bernardino County’s modest growth in investment in the 2025-2030 funding cycle is attributable to a substantial increase in planned investment between the 2021-2026 and 2023-2028 funding cycles, as reported in the previous Community Indicators Report. The additional investment planned in 2025-2030 builds incrementally on an already substantial planned investment carried over from the previous funding cycle.
GEOGRAPHIC COMPARISON
In the current (2025-2030) funding cycle, the planned transportation investment is equivalent to $2,428 per capita in San Bernardino County. This is less than Riverside County ($3,175) but more than Los Angeles County ($2,212) and Orange County ($504).
PLANNED TRANSPORTATION INVESTMENT SECOND HIGHEST AMONG NEIGHBORING SOCAL COUNTIES; REMAINS STEADY SINCE LAST FUNDING CYCLE
County Comparison of 2025-2030 Planned per Capita Transportation Investment and Percent Change in Planned per Capita Investment Since 2021-26 Funding Cycle
Through the mid-1990’s, state and federal funding accounted for nearly 75% of total transportation funding in San Bernardino County. However, with the passage of the Measure I half-cent sales tax in 1989, and the subsequent renewal in 2004, local dollars began to dominate transportation revenue. As of the latest funding cycle (2025-2030), state and federal funding account for just 27% of transportation funding with local funds making up the remaining 73%.
73% OF TRANSPORTATION DOLLARS ARE LOCALLY SOURCED
County Comparison of the Proportion of Transportation Funding that is from Local, State and Federal Sources, 2025-2030 Funding Cycle
[1] The Federal Transportation Improvement Program (FTIP) is a list of transportation projects to be implemented over a six-year period, including local, state and federally-funded projects, in the SCAG region, which includes San Bernardino, Los Angeles, Riverside, and Orange counties. The FTIP is updated every odd-numbered year.