Interstate 15 Express Lanes Southern Extension

INTERSTATE 15 EXPRESS LANES PROJECT SOUTHERN EXTENSION

Status: Pre-Construction

Location: Western Riverside County

Type of Project: Express Lanes

Location: Interstate 15 between Cajalco Road in Corona and State Route 74 (Central Avenue) in Lake Elsinore

Construction: Could begin as early as 2026

Investment: $550-650 million (estimate for pre-construction, design, construction)

Fact SheetScoping Summary

OVERVIEW

The Riverside County Transportation Commission, in partnership with Caltrans, is conducting preliminary engineering and environmental studies to support an Environmental Impact Report and Environmental Assessment for the proposed Interstate 15 Express Lanes Project Southern Extension.

The proposed project would extend the I-15 Express Lanes an additional 14.5 miles. The proposed new segment would extend from Cajalco Road in Corona, through Temescal Valley, to State Route 74 (Central Avenue) in Lake Elsinore. The project proposes adding two tolled express lanes in both directions within the I-15 median to accommodate increasing traffic volumes in Riverside County. The project would also add two southbound I-15 auxiliary lanes.

Once built, the project would improve traffic operations and travel times, expand travel choice through carpooling and mass transit, increase travel time reliability, manage long-term traffic congestion, provide a cost-effective mobility solution, and expand and maintain compatibility with the regional express lanes network.

Other project features include widening up to 15 bridges, creating multiple express lane entrance and exit points, as well as building noise barriers, retaining walls, drainage systems, and electronic toll collection equipment and signs.

Project Status

RCTC received $29 million in state funding in 2018 for the preliminary engineering and environmental studies, and work began for this phase of work in 2019. The public scoping period was held in fall 2019. Currently, RCTC is conducting environmental and engineering studies, which includes field work within the project study area.

Project Schedule

The environmental phase of work began in 2019, with an anticipated completion date of 2025, due to the complexity of the project corridor, which crosses multiple jurisdictions, widens up to 15 bridges, and may affect numerous waterways.

Pending project approval, RCTC expects to use a design-build approach to expedite the delivery of the project. Construction could begin as early as 2026 and open in 2028, if RCTC is able to secure funding. The total project cost is estimated to be $550-650 million. RCTC is exploring funding options for construction that may include a combination of federal, state, local, and toll sources.

Project History

2007: Caltrans approves 45-mile study of I-15 corridor, Route 60 to Murrieta
2008: RCTC and Caltrans begin planning studies
2009: RCTC receives tolling authority on I-15 from San Bernardino County Line to San Diego County Line
2014: RCTC and Caltrans begin studies on I-15 from Route 60 to Cajalco Road
2016: RCTC and Caltrans approve environmental document for I-15 Express Lanes
2018: RCTC secures funding for I-15 Express Lanes Project Southern Extension (ELPSE) preliminary engineering and environmental studies
2018: Construction begins for I-15 Express Lanes Project
2019: Preliminary engineering and environmental studies begin for I-15 ELPSE to support Environmental Impact Report/Environmental Assessment
October 21- November 22, 2019: 30-day public scoping period
November 12-14, 2019: Public scoping meetings, Temescal Valley, Corona, Lake Elsinore

Additional Resources