Study shows quarry could save taxpayers millions

RAINBOW — A new economic impact study conducted by Inland economist John Husing shows that Liberty Quarry would save taxpayers more than $32 million in reduced air quality mitigation and highway maintenance costs and pump more than $150 million into the local economy.

Liberty Quarry would erase more than 16.5 million truck miles from Riverside County’s roadways every year, and air quality experts estimate that almost 115,000 pounds of harmful air emissions will be eliminated yearly, saving California tax payers $27.3 million in emission reduction costs. Taxpayers simultaneously receive the additional benefit of saving $5.3 million per year in highway maintenance costs with the removal of these trucks over the 75-year project life.

“The reduction in truck miles will not only improve our air quality, but will save taxpayers hundreds of millions of dollars that could be spent on other things such as education, transportation improvements and public safety,” said Gary W. Johnson, Aggregate Resource Development Manager for Granite Construction. “It is an environmental win and an economic benefit to taxpayers.”

“As shortages drive up the price of sand and gravel needed for construction, it limits the ability to finance projects, and ultimately residents will be forced to do without many of the facilities and infrastructure projects needed to support their desired lifestyles,” said Dr. John Husing. “Liberty Quarry will help keep these prices down and stretch bond dollars further by making projects more cost efficient.”

Liberty Quarry is a proposed 155-acre rock quarry in Southwest Riverside County at the San Diego County line. It is expected to generate over 270 million tons of high-quality granite rock, ideal for making concrete and asphalt materials for approximately 75 years. It is currently undergoing an intensive Environmental Review Process in Riverside County.

A tour, open to the public, of Granite’s Indio facility is scheduled for March 5. For a complete copy of the traffic studies, air emissions report or to sign up for this tour, contact the Liberty Quarry offices at (951) 699-0922 or visit http://www.libertyquarryfacts.com.