The San Bernardino County Transportation Authority (SBCTA) Board has approved a major step forward in the advancement of smart corridor technology within the Mountain/Desert Subareas. As part of this effort, the Board received a comprehensive update on existing projects and authorized the allocation of $499,600 from Measure I Victor Valley Subarea funds to support the planning and project development phase of the Bear Valley Road Smart Corridor. These efforts align with the strategies outlined in the San Bernardino Council of Government’s (SBCOG) Smart County Master Plan (SCMP), which was developed to improve traffic flow, increase safety, and enhance transit operations throughout the County.
Smart corridors utilize high-speed communications and advanced traffic management technologies to optimize traffic signals, monitor traffic conditions, and enhance mobility. By connecting intersections and adapting to real-time conditions, these corridors help reduce delays and improve overall transportation efficiency. Key features can include traffic signal coordination, bus priority signaling, environmental monitoring, and increased pedestrian safety infrastructure. These technologies are especially critical in areas that experience significant congestion and rely on efficient movement of people and goods.
In the Victor Valley and Morongo Basin, Bear Valley Road and State Route 62 (SR-62) have emerged as top priorities for smart corridor development. Progress continues on the SR-62 Smart Corridor in the Town of Yucca Valley, which includes upgrades to signal systems, lane improvements, and the integration of transit and environmental technologies. The project is currently in the preliminary engineering phase and is expected to address long-standing bottlenecks in the area.
At the same time, SBCTA has begun work on the Bear Valley Road Smart Corridor in partnership with local jurisdictions including Apple Valley, Hesperia, and Victorville. This key regional route frequently experiences heavy congestion, particularly around the I-15 interchange. With strong local support and Caltrans’ interest in participating, SBCTA will lead the early project development work using funds allocated by the Board and consultant support from its On-Call Planning Bench.
While funding for future phases of both corridor projects is yet to be secured, this early planning and engineering work will provide the foundation needed to apply for additional grants. As project development continues, SBCTA, in partnership with SBCOG, remains committed to improving transportation infrastructure across the County through smart, connected, and sustainable solutions.