During its 33rd Annual Awards Gala, the Construction Management Association of America awarded RCTC’s 71/91 Interchange and I-15 Smart Freeway Pilot Project each with the organization’s prestigious Project Achievement Award. This distinction celebrates the very best in the field – projects that set the standard for excellence and serve as inspiration for the entire industry.

Whether it’s delivering a new connector on the 71/91 interchange, or implementing solutions on the I-15, the Commission continues to lead the way in delivering transportation improvements in our region.

The 71/91 Interchange in Corona replaced an outdated single-lane loop connector with a new, two-lane direct connector. The non-tolled connector is designed to improve safety, expand access, and enhance traffic flow. In southwest Riverside County, the recently completed I-15 Smart Freeway Pilot Project – the first-of-its-kind project in California – incorporated “smart” technology on nearly eight miles of road to optimize traffic flow along the heavily traveled northbound I-15.

Projects like these advance the Commission’s mission to deliver mobility solutions for the people of Riverside County.

Over the past two years, the residents of the Corona, Chino, and Chino Hills communities – and countless travelers on the 71 and 91 – have seen the impressive 71/91 connector take shape. After the recent weekend closure of the eastbound 91 Green River Rd. on-ramp, where crews safely performed a traffic switch to get the new connector and on-ramp ready for vehicles, the new interchange is now open to motorists!

Crews opened the new eastbound 91 to northbound 71 connector to highway traffic on Saturday morning, June 21, and the realigned on-ramp on Monday, June 23.

Construction of the 71/91 Interchange Project began in January 2023. As part of the project, crews built a new eastbound 91 to northbound 71 connector bridge that spans over the 91 and Santa Ana River. This new, two-lane direct connector replaces the old single-lane loop connector. The existing eastbound 91 Green River Rd. on-ramp was also realigned to provide direct access to the new northbound 71 connector and eastbound 91 general purpose lanes. Crews also constructed a new eastbound 91 auxiliary lane for improved access and merging with the new connector.

During construction, crews excavated 400,000 cubic yards of roadway, used over 9 million pounds of rebar, constructed over 4,000 cubic yards of retaining walls, and are expected to pour over 36,000 cubic yards of concrete by the end of the project. The new connector measures an impressive 100 feet in height and 2,500 feet in length.

The new, non-tolled connector is designed to improve safety, expand access to other modes of travel, reduce greenhouse gas emissions, and enhance traffic flow – providing long-lasting benefits to Riverside County residents and the greater southern California region. The project will also support continued movement through this area by native wildlife such as mountain lions, bobcats, and coyotes.

Funding for the $137 million project was provided by federal, state, and local sources, including Measure A; the twice voter-approved sales tax measure for transportation improvements in Riverside County. The delivery of this project further advances RCTC’s goal to improve mobility for the people of Riverside County.

For more information about this project, please visit: rctc.org/71-91interchange

Motorists traveling on southbound 71 through Chino Hills are advised to be prepared for weeknight (Monday – Friday) full closures of southbound 71 from Butterfield Ranch Rd/Euclid Ave to the 91. The closures of southbound 71 will begin Monday, March 3 through Friday, April 11 as part of RCTC’s 71/91 Interchange Project. The southbound 71 to eastbound and westbound 91 connectors will also be closed during this time.

The closures will take place from 9 p.m. to 5 a.m., Monday through Thursday nights, and 11:59 p.m. to 6 a.m. on Friday nights. These nighttime closures will allow construction crews to safely remove support structures from the recently constructed new sections of the connector. Additional nighttime lane reduction configurations along eastbound and westbound 91 may also occur during these nightly closures.

To avoid traffic delays, motorists are urged to avoid the southbound 71 and use southbound 57 or southbound I-15 to reach the 91 and other destinations located to the south.

Motorists traveling on southbound 71 will be rerouted to the Euclid Ave off-ramp in Chino Hills. Traffic will be detoured northbound along Euclid Ave to either eastbound or westbound 60, where motorists can travel to either southbound I-15 or southbound 57. Fire, police, and ambulance services will have access for emergency response.

Construction activity is subject to change due to site conditions, weather, or other factors. If the work cannot be completed, it will be rescheduled as soon as possible.

The new non-tolled interchange is designed to improve safety, expand access to other modes of travel, reduce greenhouse gas emissions, enhance traffic flow, and support continued movement of native wildlife through the area. Construction began in 2023 and is expected to be completed later this year. To register for construction updates, text 7191interchange to (855) 793-2625 or sign up through the project webpage. For the latest closure information, visit: rctc.org/7191Closures

Motorists traveling through Corona are advised to steer clear of full weeknight closures of westbound 91. Beginning December 2, 2024, the westbound 91 will be closed between the 71 and Green River Road on Monday through Wednesday nights as part of RCTC’s 71/91 Interchange Project. The closures are scheduled through Wednesday, December 18, 2024.

Due to the holidays, no closures will be scheduled from December 20 through January 1, 2025. Closures are anticipated to restart on Monday, January 6, 2025.

The full closure will allow crews to remove more than 40 beams of support structures that span above the westbound 91 lanes. This work requires precision and time to be completed safely. Over the summer, crews completed a similar operation with the removal of support structures over eastbound 91.

Motorists traveling on the westbound 91 and southbound 71 should plan extra time to reach local destinations and businesses in the area. Detailed closure information below:

To avoid lengthy traffic delays, motorists are highly advised to avoid the westbound 91 by using the northbound 71 to westbound 60 to southbound 57 to get around the closure. Construction activity is subject to change due to weather or other factors.

RCTC, in partnership with Caltrans, is reconstructing the 71/91 interchange in Corona. The project will replace the single-lane loop connector between the eastbound 91 and northbound 71 with a new, two-lane, direct connector ramp. The project is anticipated to be completed in 2025.  

To register for construction updates, text 7191interchange to (855) 793-2625 or sign up through the project webpage. View the latest construction activity at: rctc.org/7191updates 

Motorists traveling on southbound 71 through Chino Hills are advised to stay alert for weeknight full closures of southbound 71 at Butterfield Ranch Rd/Euclid Ave. The Monday through Friday nighttime closures of southbound 71 are scheduled from Monday, September 16 through late-October as part of RCTC’s 71/91 Interchange Project. The southbound 71 to eastbound and westbound 91 connectors will also be closed.

The closures will take place from 9 p.m. to 5 a.m., Monday through Thursday nights, and midnight to 6 a.m. on Friday nights. During these nighttime closures, construction crews will be building a new portion of support structures for the new eastbound 91 to northbound 71 connector. Additional nighttime lane reductions along eastbound and westbound 91 may also occur during these nightly closures.

To avoid traffic delays, motorists are urged to avoid the southbound 71 and use southbound 57 or southbound I-15 to reach the 91 and other destinations located to the south.

Motorists traveling on southbound 71 will be rerouted to the Euclid Ave off-ramp in Chino Hills. Traffic will be detoured northbound along Euclid Ave to either eastbound or westbound 60, where motorists can travel to either southbound I-15 or southbound 57. Fire, police, and ambulance services will have access for emergency response.

Construction activity is subject to change due to site conditions, weather, or other factors. If the work cannot be completed, it will be rescheduled as soon as possible.

To register for construction updates, text 7191interchange to (855) 793-2625 or sign up through the project webpage, rctc.org/71-91interchange. For the latest closure information, visit rctc.org/7191Closures.

Motorists making their way south through Chino and Chino Hills should avoid the southbound 71 or be prepared to face heavy traffic delays. RCTC’s 71/91 Interchange Project will require a full weekend closure beginning Friday, August 16 at 10 p.m. through Monday, August 19 at 5 a.m.

The full closure will safely allow crews to pave and stripe the final portion of the newly aligned southbound 71 lanes. During the weekend closure, crews will also perform a traffic switch to shift traffic onto these new lanes. This shift will extend southbound 71, create additional space for the new connector, and allow it to connect to northbound 71 lanes.

To avoid lengthy traffic delays, motorists are highly advised to avoid the southbound 71 and use southbound 57 or southbound I-15 to reach the 91 and other destinations located to the south.

Motorists traveling on the southbound 71 will be rerouted to the Butterfield Ranch Rd./Euclid Ave. off-ramp in Chino Hills. Traffic will be detoured northbound along Euclid Ave. to either eastbound or westbound 60, where motorists can travel to either southbound I-15 or southbound 57. Fire, police, and ambulance services will have access for emergency response.

Construction activity is subject to change due to site conditions, weather, or other factors. If the work cannot be completed, it will be rescheduled as soon as possible.

Make sure to stay informed by signing up for construction updates – text 7191interchange to (855) 793-2625 or sign up through the project webpage, rctc.org/71-91interchange.

Traveling through Corona at night this summer? There are road closures in the works that you should know about. Motorists driving on the eastbound 91 Monday through Wednesday nights should plan ahead for traffic delays. Starting Monday, July 15, weeknight closures of the eastbound 91 general purpose lanes and Express Lanes are scheduled as part of the 71/91 Interchange Project in Corona. The eastbound Green River Road on-ramp will also be closed at night.

Closures are as scheduled:

• LOCATION: Eastbound 91, from Green River Rd. to Serfas Club Dr./Auto Center Dr.
  • Includes eastbound 91 general purpose lanes, Express Lanes, and Green River Rd. on-ramp
• DAYS & TIMES: Nightly, Monday through Wednesday from 11:00 p.m. to 5:00 a.m.
• DURATION: July 15 – August 14, 2024

The southbound 71 connectors to eastbound and westbound 91 will remain open.

The closures will allow crews to safely remove support structures above the eastbound 91 that were constructed in 2023 and early 2024. These support structures were used to form the foundation of the new connector. The removal process will take place over several weeks, Monday through Wednesday nights, beginning July 15.

Motorists traveling on the eastbound 91 are advised to avoid the area and use northbound 57 to eastbound 60 to the southbound 71. Corona residents may use Green River Rd. to Palisades Drive to Serfas Club Dr./Auto Center Dr. to enter eastbound 91. Motorists should allow extra travel time to reach local businesses, which will remain open. Fire, police, and ambulance services will have access for emergency response.

Construction activity is subject to change due to site conditions, weather, or other factors. If the work cannot be completed, it will be rescheduled as soon as possible.

To register for construction updates, text 7191interchange to (855) 793-2625 or sign up through the project webpage, rctc.org/71-91interchange.

Throughout Riverside County, crews on projects such as the 71/91 Interchange in Corona and the Moreno Valley/March Field Station Improvements in Riverside continue to work diligently to deliver transportation solutions for our communities. As Construction Safety Week kicks off, we encourage commuters to stay alert, obey all posted construction signs, and proceed cautiously through all construction zones to help keep our workers safe. Safety is everyone’s responsibility.

Since it began in 2014, Construction Safety Week, the annual, week-long campaign to promote worker safety and wellness, has empowered construction crews to use their voices to raise concerns and promote best practices on job sites and workspaces nationwide. The initiative, which runs May 6 -10, is celebrating ten years of advocating for safer work environments.

This year’s theme is “Value Every Voice” and focuses on four themes:

• Emphasizing personal ownership
• Encouraging and welcoming new ideas
• Embracing diverse voices
• Strengthening a culture of safety

The initiative has partnered with OSHA to promote safer habits and prevent serious incidents on the worksite, such as falls – one of the leading causes of injuries to industry workers. During this week, job sites will engage in safety education and encourage participation by hosting stand-downs, toolbox talks, and safety demonstrations.

With more than a year of construction under its belt, the 71/91 Interchange Project in Corona has undergone a remarkable transformation since breaking ground in January 2023. The project has been a testament to innovation, safety, and collaboration, with a dedicated team of project managers, engineers, and construction crews working tirelessly to bring the project closer to reality.  

During the past year, our hardworking construction crews have poured over 1,400 cubic yards of concrete, excavated over 300,000 cubic yards of dirt along the 91 and 71, set nearly 100 beams across the 91, and installed more than 14,000 linear feet of k-rail throughout the project. Along the edges of the 71, excavated hillsides and an array of equipment including cranes, drill rigs, manlifts, excavators, and bulldozers emphasize the project’s scale, complexity, and accelerated schedule. 

In just the last few months, construction crews installed a massive 160-foot-long rebar steel cage weighing 232,000 pounds in the median of the 91 and poured 700 cubic yards of concrete to build the foundation for one of the columns of the new connector. An intricate web of support structures was then placed to create the falsework structure that currently stands over the eastbound and westbound 91 lanes. Standing over 30-feet tall and consisting of more than 200 steel beams, this support structure allows crews to construct the new overhead connector roadway. A new section of falsework will be installed later this year and will connect to the existing portion above the 91.  

RCTC, in partnership with Caltrans, continues to make tremendous progress into 2024 to ensure this project’s safe delivery. Significant retaining wall installation progress allowed paving operations for new southbound 71 lanes to begin earlier this year. Once concrete paving and new lane striping is complete, preparation for traffic and lanes shift will begin later in the year. 

Once completed, the new non-tolled interchange will not only enhance transportation connectivity, but also improve roadway safety, reduce greenhouse gas emissions, and enhance traffic flow – providing long-lasting benefits to the region and beyond. The new connector is expected to open in 2025. 

For the latest project updates, flyover drone footage, and weekly closure information, follow @7191Interchange on social media or visit https://www.rctc.org/projects/71-91-interchange-project/. 

Heading out of the Inland Empire on weeknights? Motorists are advised to stay alert for full westbound 91 closures between State Route 71 and Green River Road in Corona. Following the successful weeknight closures of eastbound 91 during October and November, full closure of westbound 91 will take place Monday through Wednesday nights starting on December 11 through January 24, 2024.

Due to the holidays, no closures will be scheduled from December 22 through January 1, 2024. Nighttime closures will resume on Tuesday, January 2, 2024.

The westbound 91 closures are needed to allow crews to safely construct support structures extending across the entire width of the 91 as part of RCTC’s 71/91 Interchange Project. The support formwork on top of the tunnel for the new connector will be approximately 30 feet in height with over 200 beams being positioned during these weeknight closures.

The weeknight closures include:

• Full closure of westbound 91 lanes from the 71 to Green River Road
  • Monday – Wednesday from 10 p.m. to 4 a.m.
• Full southbound 71 to westbound 91 closure
  • Monday – Wednesday from 9 p.m. to 5 a.m.
• Full westbound 91 Express Lanes closures from the 15/91 Interchange to the Orange County/Riverside County Line
  • Monday – Wednesday 8 p.m. to 4 a.m.
• Full southbound 15 to westbound 91 Express Lanes closures
  • Monday – Wednesday 8 p.m. to 4 a.m.
• Full northbound 15 to westbound 91 Express Lanes closures
  • Monday – Wednesday 8 p.m. to 4 a.m.
• Westbound 91 Green River Road off-ramp closure
  • Monday – Wednesday 9 p.m. to 4 a.m.

Motorists are advised to use the northbound 71 to westbound 60 to southbound 57 to navigate around the closure. Please use caution traveling through this area and plan extra time to arrive to your destination. The suggested detour route is shown below.

Access will remain available for fire, police, and ambulance units in case of emergency response. Construction activity is subject to change due to weather or unforeseen circumstances.

The 71/91 Interchange began construction in February and the anticipated opening of the connector is slated for 2025. This project will create a two-lane direct connector between eastbound 91 and northbound 71 to replace the existing single-lane loop connector. This enhancement is intended to improve safety, develop alternative modes of transportation, reduce greenhouse gas emissions, and optimize traffic flow. The $137 million investment is providing 1,677 jobs during construction.

To register for construction updates, text 7191INTERCHANGE to 77222 or sign up through the project webpage, rctc.org/7191closures.