The staff recommendation presented to supervisors projected that funding for construction of the project would come from Measure I revenue, generated by a half-cent sales tax. However, revenue in that account is not anticipated to reach the level necessary to fund the project for more than five years. Seeking to avoid the specter of two major regional transportation improvements connected by a two-lane rural road, Mitzelfelt modified the staff recommendation, calling for expediting construction of the project by financing construction with other transportation revenues, which could later be reimbursed by Measure I funds. “When I saw the staff report predicted funding availability in five to ten years, I said no way; We will build it sooner,” Mitzelfelt said. He noted, as just one possible example, the potential to use funds previously committed to the Nisqualli/La Mesa interchange in Victorville, which were made available after $21 million in funds for Nisqualli had been secured by SANBAG from the California Transportation Commission last Thursday.
