Inland Southern California Legend Will Have the 60/91/I-215 Interchange Named in His Memory

Sacramento, CA--  A trailblazing and innovative leader in building the future of an emerging Inland Southern California for over six decades, the late Joseph Tavaglione, will be honored with the Joseph Tavaglione Memorial Interchange, at the intersection of State Highway Routes SR60/91/I-215 with the Legislature’s passage of Senate Richard D. Roth’s (D-Riverside) resolution to honor the business and community legend.

“Joe Tavaglione was the very definition of a pioneer, beginning in the post World War II era, his vision for a burgeoning and thriving Inland Southern California, shaped our region in ways that seemed unfathomable at the time,” said Senator Roth who authored Senate Concurrent Resolution 13  to name State Highway Routes SR60/91/I-215 Interchange for Tavaglione. “He was a self-made businessman, who along with his younger brother, the late Louie Tavaglione, founded a construction company that built thousands of military base housing units and hundreds of 7-11 food markets throughout the Western U.S. Joe was a titan, a groundbreaking developer, and tireless community leader.  As the longest-serving member of the California Transportation Commission, appointed by four California Governors, Joe was instrumental in steering hundreds of millions of dollars in transportation funding to our region. This included funds for widening I-215, Sr-91, I-15, SR-60, the Perris Valley Line, railroad grade separations, interchanges, and so much more.”

Tavaglione was an immense contributor to the State of California, also serving on the California Contractors’ State License Board, as President of the National Association of State Contractors Licensing Agencies, and as a member of the City of Riverside Board of Public Utilities and Planning Commission.  Mr. Tavaglione was also a member of the Monday Morning Group and served as president of The Valley Group of the Inland Empire.  He was a member of the Board of Directors of the Riverside Humane Society Pet Adoption Center, the Riverside County University Health System Medical Center Foundation, and the Children’s Spine Foundation. He was also a member of the Foundation Board of Trustees for both the University of California at Riverside and La Sierra University.

Tavaglione passed away peacefully at 101 years of age on August 1, 2024, surrounded by his family.