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State Route 74/Interstate 215 Interchange Project
 In partnership with Caltrans and the city of Perris, the Commission awarded a construction contract for approximately $14.8 million to Skanska USA Civil West to rebuild the 74/215 interchange in Perris. The total project cost is $29 million and is financed with 70% federal stimulus revenue, 25% local mitigation funds, and 5% from Measure A, the half-cent sales tax for transportation improvements in Riverside County.
Known locally as the 4th Street interchange, the project will pave the way for better traffic flow, easier access to downtown Perris, and improved north/south connections to Interstate 215. Once completed, the project will replace the current two-lane bridge over the freeway with an eight-lane bridge. The new bridge will have two through-lanes and two left-turn lanes in both directions. The project will also:
- Remove the five-point intersection and 12 stop signs west of the freeway and replace these with new intersections controlled by traffic signals;
- Realign freeway on-ramps and off-ramps, add meters, and add carpool preference lanes to the on-ramps;
- Widen Redlands Avenue from 4th Street to San Jacinto Avenue;
- Build sound walls and retaining walls; and
- Build an eight-foot sidewalk on the north side of the bridge.
The existing bridge will remain open during construction of the new bridge and all roads will remain open to drivers; however, individual lane closures will occur. In addition, freeway on-ramps and off-ramps will be closed for short periods. For additional project details, including the schedule, please visit the project website, www.74-215project.info, or call the project help line at 1-877-74-215ie (1-877-742-1543).
Freeway Service Patrol
The Freeway Service Patrol (FSP) program consists of a team of roving tow trucks that provide assistance to motorists with disabled vehicles along the freeway and continues to be a great success in Riverside County.
At the FSP Driver’s Recognition meeting in March, four FSP operators were acknowledged for their service and dedication to the program.
From left to right: Jaime Cortez, Timothy Ormonde, Ron Lefler Jr.
Tim Ormonde, who works for Hamner Towing, has been with the FSP program for nearly 15 years and received the highest honor as the 2009 Top Driver. The top driver award is chosen based on the number of assists per year, following proper FSP procedures, drivers’ accuracy rating when entering assist data, and compliments received from motorists who were assisted. Jaime Cortez with Pepe’s Tow, Ronald Lefler Jr. with Hamner Towing, and Richard Wellington with Tri-City Towing, each received a 2009 Driver of Excellence Award.
“These individuals do an outstanding job of serving the public, RCTC, Caltrans, and CHP in such a positive manner,” said Bob Buster, RCTC Chair. “We are very fortunate to have such dedicated and hard working FSP operators. It is a dangerous job that they perform and they do it with the highest level of service and professionalism.”
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