Yesterday, the Inland Valley Daily Bulletin published an op-ed by 71st District Assembly candidate Jeff Miller backing the essential expansion of the 241 expressway.

As a Corona resident who spends more than one month out of a year in traffic, I'm delighted to know that someone is willing to take action on an issue that is very dear to me.

The congestion on our roadways is a regional problem, and Jeff Miller is the only candidate who has spoken up about a regional solution. 

I look forward to another route to San Diego, just as I know that Jeff Miller will fight in Sacramento to get me home to my family earlier.

Here's the article:

Governor on course for 241 Toll Road
By Jeff Miller

Every day the reality of severe traffic interrupts, delays and halts our commutes, our families and our future across Southern California.

Since few of us stay within the same county for work and play, it is obvious this problem requires a regional solution.

And that is why Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger's backing of the extension of the 241 Toll Road in Orange County is so important to our families here in the Inland Empire. With the completion of the 241, families and businesses in western Riverside County and eastern Orange County will have a convenient and viable alternate to the 15 Freeway for going to San Diego.

Taking up to 150,000 commuters off the 15 South is always a good idea.

Secondly, by committing his substantial support to the 241, the governor again backs the same public-private partnerships which we here in Riverside County are beginning to use to complete major road projects. Leaving the 241 unfinished would be a major blow for our fledgling efforts to build roads using the kind of partnerships that are building roads across America in years, as opposed to the decades it currently takes in California.

The governor put action behind his voiced support for public-private partnerships by backing the extension of the 241.

In addition to the governor, cities such as Corona back the extension of the 241 because it completes the regional road plans on which Orange County - and through regional planning, Riverside County

- have based their traffic projections and road work.

If the 241 is not built, Riverside County will face another challenge to fixing traffic.

Who has sat on the 91 Freeway and thought, "I think we need fewer roads"?

Eight years ago, Riverside and Orange counties began to work together on our mutual traffic issues. This cooperation has led to major improvements on the 91 Freeway - once thought impossible. By completing the 241, we will further the goal of removing cars from Riverside County roads.

Improving our transportation infrastructure and relieving traffic are critical to Inland Empire residents and businesses. This road would be built with virtually no tax dollars.

So, I encourage anyone who feels he or she spends too much time in traffic to contact the California Coastal Commission and tell them to approve the 241 Toll Road completion.

For more information, visit www.RelieveTraffic.org.

Jeff Miller is mayor of Corona. He represents the Corona City Council on the Riverside County Transportation Commission and is the chairman of the 91 Freeway Toll Road Advisory Committee.