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Projects
The March JPA has undertaken several projects in the name of Base Reuse, for the preparation and facilitation of
development and use of the former active duty air force base by new tenants.
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Economic Development / Incentive Programs
The March JPA, in order to provide economic development opportunities, provides and participates in incentive
programs. The JPA is also a California Redevelopment Agency, which assists tenants interested in locating at March.
Inland Empire Creates a Metro Riverside Extension of the Los Angeles - Long Beach World Trade Center
Association - At the June 16, 1999, March Joint Powers Commission meeting, the Commission approved participation
in the Regional Extension of the Long Beach World Trade Center. The World Trade Center is primarily involved in
marketing, potential investment from foreign countries, and gaining their expertise in helping create a FTZ. Members of the
Metro Riverside Extension include cities of Riverside, Moreno Valley, and Corona; Riverside Community College District;
and the County of Riverside.
Further information on the World Trade Center can be accessed at
www.globaltradecenter.org
Capital Improvement Projects
The March JPA, as part of the base reuse efforts, has undertaken several capital improvement projects. During 1998,
the federal government earmarked more than $11 million for infrastructure projects that benefit the March Inland Port
and prospective tenants. The following is a summary of the projects currently being undertaken:
CAT-II Instrument Landing System
The CAT-II system is an instrument approach system. This type of precision approach provides the pilot with vertical
and horizontal guidance to the runway. The guidance system gives accuracy, integrity, and availability information
during adverse weather conditions.
Background: March Airfield currently carries a Category I Instrument Landing System (ILS). Upgrading
the lighting and navigational aids of the airfield would provide the rating of a Category II-ILS (CAT-II) system at March.
The CAT-II system is an instrument-approach system which provides for approaches to decision height (DH) of not less than
100 feet and visibility of not less than 1/8 mile of runway visual range (RVR), or 1200 feet. The CAT-II system is classed as a
precision approach. A precision approach provides the pilot vertical guidance as well as horizontal guidance to the runway.
This guidance system provides the pilot accuracy, integrity, and availability information during adverse weather
conditions.
Project Description: The key to establishing the CAT-II system at March is an improved lighting system. The
lighting system will consist of runway centerline lighting and touchdown zone lights. The centerline lighting system will be
constructed in a straight line which runs parallel with and within 2 feet of the runway centerline. The lights will be spaced
50 feet apart. The lighting system will extend from 75 feet on the runway side of the threshold of the usable landing area,
to within 75 feet of the upwind end of the runway. The lights will be bi-directional and emit white light. The last 3000 feet
of lighting will be color coded to denote remaining runway usage.
The touchdown zone lights are used to provide continuity across the threshold into the touchdown area, and provide
visual cues during the flare out and touchdown phases of the landing. This lighting system will be constructed so as to
present, in plain view, two rows of high intensity light bars arranged symmetrically about the centerline of the runway. The
rows of lights will be located within the paved area of the runway to define that portion of the landing area used for landing
flare and touchdown. The system will extend from the threshold of usable landing area toward the upwind end of the
runway, a distance of 3000 feet. The light bars will be located in each row at 100-feet intervals. Each light bar will contain
three lights spaced at 5 feet on center, with the inboard light located 36 feet from the runway centerline.
Once the aircraft is safely on the ground, it will be necessary to provide guidance signs to aid the aircraft pilot in finding
his parking destination, provide ground control of the aircraft, and maintain safety of ground operations. Several mandatory
and destination signs will need to be established. Some examples are stop signs, taxiway or runway intersection signs,
outbound destination, inbound destination, and holding position.
Project Cost and Timing: Upgrading of the existing navigational aid system at March is a $3.7 million federally
funded project through FAA. The March JPA is the lead agency for the project, and has retained the services of PB Aviation
to complete engineering design work. Royal Electric Company was awarded the project on July 18, 2001.
The project is scheduled to be completed in September of 2002.
March Inland Port Ground Access - Oleander Avenue Extension
With the reauthoriztion of ISTEA, the federal government funded the March Inland Port Ground
Access - Oleander Avenue Extension with $7.2 million in October 1998.
The transportation corridor to serve the March Inland Port (MIP) will be extended and realigned from Oleander
Avenue to Indian Avenue, and across to Heacock Avenue at the San Michele Avenue alignment. Oleander Avenue at
Interstate-215 is a fully improved and signalized diamond interchange with two-lanes in each direction. The current
alignment and improvement of Oleander Avenue is deficient, as limited improvements exist beyond Patterson Avenue.
Oleander Avenue currently aligns east to west, immediately parallel with the Oleander Storm Drain, just south of the
runway. Consequently Oleander Avenue and the intersection with Heacock Avenue is located within the south clear zone,
in conflict with aviation standards. The new extension to this roadway, in addition to serving March Inland Port, would
also provide access to approximately 5,000 acres of industrial-designated land in the cities of Perris and Moreno Valley
that is currently vacant as well as under-served.
Roadway Improvements: - The roadway facility will consist of two (2) travel lanes, with a left-hand turn lane,
shoulders, and asphalt berm. The roadway cross section will provide the initial access route to the March Inland Port, with
the ability for the roadway to be expanded as future development and demand of the area warrants. Additional
improvements could be completed incrementally.
Project Development: - The project, pursuant to CALTRANS regulations, is divided into three-phases:
1. Preliminary Engineering and Environmental Clearance
This phase includes site survey, engineering drawings, and bridge and facility engineering to a preliminary level
that assists with determining necessary right-of-way for the project. A Categorical Exclusion with Technical Studies
under the provisions of the National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA) was filed with CALTRANS in February 1999.
The March JPA satisfied the requirements of the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA) through the preparation
of a Mitigated Negative Declaration for the Project, which was adopted by the March JPC March 17, 1999. Caltrans
clearance of the NEPA document was granted November 3, 1999.
2. Right-of-Way Acquisition and Final Engineering
The total right-of-way necessary for this initial roadway is 60' overall, with additional cutbacks at roadway
intersections. Right-of-way exists in many areas along the project route, but in many instances not at the necessary 60'.
During this phase, final engineering and design plans are completed into a form to be utilized for the bid process.
This process commenced November 4, 1999, and right-of-way certification is slated for mid-2000.
3. Project Construction
Project construction will not only include the roadway improvements for the attached cross-section, but also five (5)
traffic signals. Intersection locations are planned to be Oleander/Patterson Avenues, Oleander/Indian Avenues,
Indian/Nandina Avenues, Indian/San Michele Avenues, and San Michele/Heacock Avenues. A box culvert crossing
will be constructed at Indian Avenue over Perris Valley Lateral "B" (Oleander Storm Drain). Additionally, water and
sewer line improvements will be installed pursuant to the water district's master plan for the roadway project.
Project Cost/Schedule: - The project is funded with $7.2 million of Federal funds, with the requirement for a
20% local match. This allocates up to $9 million available for the project costs; however, the project is estimated to be
$8 million. Funded through the re-authorization of ISTEA, TEA-21, the project was initiated August 1998 for preliminary
engineering.
Environmental documents were submitted to CALTRANS for review February 22, 1999. Environmental clearance was
issued November, 1999, with right-of-way acquisition process commencing November, 1999. This project was bid in June,
2001. R.J. Noble Company of Orange was awarded the $5.4 million contract. Construction should start July 30, 2001. It is
estimated the project construction will be a six-month process.
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