As part of the I-15 Smart Freeway Pilot Project, an updated online Smart Room has been relaunched and now includes a new performance dashboard to help residents understand how the system works and track its performance.

The Smart Freeway system uses technology and existing roadway infrastructure to help manage congestion on the northbound 15 between the Riverside/San Diego County line in Temecula and the I-15/I-215 interchange in Murrieta. Roadside sensors monitor traffic conditions, while coordinated ramp meters at Temecula Parkway, Rancho California Road, and Winchester Road adjust the flow of vehicles entering the freeway.

The updated Smart Room is an immersive online resource for learning how the Smart Freeway works. Visitors can move through the virtual space at their own pace to see where the pilot operates, learn how the different parts of the system work together, and understand what drivers may experience when the system is active. The Smart Room also includes frequently asked questions, project updates, videos, and the performance dashboard.

Through the new performance dashboard, residents will be able to track Smart Freeway system performance throughout the 2-year pilot period. Currently, the performance dashboard includes information on vehicle throughput and travel time. The Smart Freeway system comes with a lot of technical information, and additional key performance indicators will be added to the dashboard as RCTC gathers more data on performance. A glossary with terms and how the data should be read is also included in the performance dashboard.

Check out the Smart Room by visiting Smartfreeway.org

In September, the Riverside County Transportation Commission approved renaming the SR-79 Realignment Project to the San Jacinto Valley Expressway Project. The project was renamed following two rounds of public input and thousands of responses from residents along the SR-79 corridor and adjacent communities. Originally envisioned as a state route, the proposed expressway is now being designed and planned as a County of Riverside facility – requiring the new project name.

To help select a new project name, the Commission launched community-driven efforts to solicit public input, raise awareness, and celebrate community identity. Over the past year, thousands of residents in Hemet, San Jacinto, Winchester, and across the surrounding unincorporated areas in Riverside County provided a meaningful voice in shaping the project’s legacy by providing name suggestions and then voting on the top seven names.

Following the multiple public input phases, a special renaming panel comprised of elected officials and community leaders along the project area unanimously voted to recommend the “San Jacinto Valley Expressway” name to the Commission based on community feedback.

The proposed new 12-mile county expressway from south of Domenigoni Parkway north to Gilman Springs Road will include two lanes in each direction. The project also includes space for a future 35-foot-wide transportation corridor, a multipurpose trail, and wildlife crossings.

The project is a partnership between RCTC, the County of Riverside, and the cities of San Jacinto and Hemet. For more information about the project, please visit: rctc.org/sjv-expressway

RCTC wants to hear from you! On Monday, August 10, RCTC will hold a public hearing to gather input on transit needs within Riverside County. Comments received will be used by RCTC and the county’s transit operators to identify transit needs in preparation for transportation plans and programs. The comments will be transmitted to transit and paratransit operators as they relate to operating issues and needs.

The public hearing will be held in-person at 11 a.m. on Monday, August 10, 2026, at the following three locations:

RCTC Conf. Room A 4080 Lemon Street 3rd Floor Riverside, CA 92502

SunLine Transit Agency Board Room 32505 Harry Oliver Trail Thousand Palms, CA 92776

Palo Verde Valley Transit Agency Room A 415 N. Main Street Blythe, CA 92225

For those unable to attend the in-person hearings, comments can be submitted via online contact form, email, postal mail, or by calling 951-787-7141. Comments are due by August 10, 2026.

You can mail comments to:
Riverside County Transportation Commission
Attn: Transit Needs Public Hearing
P.O. Box 12008
Riverside, CA 92502-2208

Email comments to publictransit@rctc.org with Transit Needs Public Hearing Comments in the subject line.

English to Spanish translation and an American Sign Language interpreter will be made available at the RCTC location. Translation and interpretation services for the satellite locations will be made available through teleconferencing.

RCTC marked another major milestone this year by breaking ground on a significant project that will address high-priority transportation safety needs in Riverside County. On June 24, 2026, RCTC celebrated the start of construction on the Mid County Parkway Ramona Expressway Project alongside project partners, elected officials, stakeholders, and community members at the project site.

The 8.6-mile project, located between one mile east of Rider Street and Warren Road in San Jacinto, will improve safety and access by constructing a raised median, adding one lane in each direction, building a new bridge over the San Jacinto River and a wildlife crossing, and upgrading traffic signals.

“The Mid County Parkway Ramona Expressway Project will provide a safer and more efficient east-west connection for residents, businesses, and emergency responders throughout the region,” said Raymond Gregory, Mayor of Cathedral City and Chair of RCTC. “This project is ultimately about protecting lives, strengthening connections, and investing in the people and communities who depend on this corridor every day.”

Ramona Expressway is the second construction segment of the Mid County Parkway, a planned 16-mile corridor between Perris and San Jacinto. In 2022, RCTC completed the first segment with the delivery of the I-215 Placentia Avenue Interchange. The project added new on-ramps and off-ramps to Placentia Avenue, realigned East Frontage Road, widened the Placentia Avenue overcrossing, and added lanes to Placentia Avenue between Harvill Avenue and Indian Avenue.

The MCP Ramona Expressway Project advanced to construction thanks to Measure A – the twice voter-approved half-cent sales tax measure for transportation improvements in Riverside County – and a combination of federal, state, and local funding sources.

For more information about this vital safety project and to sign up for updates, please visit: rctc.org/mcpramona

Built on collaboration and a shared vision, Phase II of the State Route 60 (SR-60)/Potrero Boulevard Interchange Project advances to construction! On April 28, 2026, project partners, elected officials, stakeholders, and community members gathered in the City of Beaumont to break ground to celebrate a project that will improve regional and local traffic flow for motorists traveling through Beaumont and the surrounding communities.

Located between Jack Rabbit Trail and the SR-60/Interstate 10 junction, the project was designed as a key investment in regional infrastructure to improve mobility, safety, and economic growth.

“Projects like the SR-60 Potrero Boulevard Interchange symbolize the strong partnerships RCTC has with our cities and communities to build transportation infrastructure that benefits our growing region,” said Raymond Gregory, Mayor of Cathedral City and Chair of RCTC. “These investments are key to keeping our region moving as our communities continue to grow.”

In 2019, the City of Beaumont completed Phase I and opened the new six-lane Potrero Boulevard overcrossing above SR-60.

Phase II of the project includes:

• Construction of a six-ramp partial cloverleaf interchange at SR 60 and Potrero Boulevard
• Realignment of Western Knolls Avenue
• Widening Potrero Boulevard to six lanes, improving traffic flow and access to SR 60

The new interchange is anticipated to open to travelers in 2028. Construction crews will begin preparing the area near Potrero Boulevard bridge soon and are expected to begin construction on the new interchange in May.

The project was made possible by a mix of state and local sources comprised of the City of Beaumont’s Capital Improvement Plan (CIP), Transportation Uniform Mitigation Fee (TUMF) revenues, and SB1 Trade Corridor Enhancement Program (TCEP) funds.

Throughout the duration of the project, RCTC, the City of Beaumont, and Caltrans are committed to minimizing construction impacts and providing timely updates to the public. Sign up to receive project updates or for additional project information by visiting: www.rctc.org/PotreroInterchange

2025 was a year marked by progress, innovation, and significant milestones. A year where RCTC wasn’t just building projects but pathways to a stronger future for Riverside County residents. Connecting the Future reflects the Commission’s promise to deliver real mobility improvements, strengthen partnerships, and forge new connections. In 2025, RCTC delivered on that promise – implementing projects and programs designed to enhance the quality of life for our families today and the generations of tomorrow.

Investments in Our Highways and Roads – During the past year, RCTC delivered new highway and interchange improvements across our region – including completion of the much anticipated 71/91 Interchange Project, launch of the I‑15 Smart Freeway Pilot Project, and awarding construction contracts for Mid County Parkway Ramona Expressway and Phase II of the SR‑60/Potrero Boulevard Interchange. At the local level, the Commission disbursed more than $85 million across all Riverside County cities and incorporated regions to support local streets and roads.

Improving Our Public Transportation – In 2025, public transportation improvements also took center stage. RCTC provided over $321 million in funding for bus and rail services – supporting 10.3 million passenger trips over the last year. The Commission also invested in the region’s rail network with the completion of the Moreno Valley/March Field Station Improvements Project, a construction contract award for the Perris-South Metrolink Station and Layover Facility Project, and the launch of IE Commuter’s “Experience Metrolink” program – providing Inland Empire residents with a no-cost transit option.

Offering Drivers Choices – RCTC remained committed to increasing the range of transportation choices available to residents. Ridesharing programs, such as IE Commuter and VanClub, helped commuters and more than 1,700 regional employers reduce 10.7 million pounds of emissions and nearly 5 million vehicle miles traveled in 2025. Among last year’s most notable achievements, RCTC recorded 21.1 million trips on the 91 Express Lanes and 35.5 million transactions on the 15 Express Lanes, reflecting the continued demand for reliable travel options.

Building off a successful 2025, RCTC is planning the future of travel in Riverside County with the Traffic Relief Plan. The Plan is a countywide strategy to reduce congestion, improve safety, and give residents more reliable ways to get where they need to go – now and into the future.

To read the Commission’s full 2025 Annual Report, please click here.

There is nothing like the feeling of the wind in your hair and face while riding a bike or even when you are sprinting the last mile on your run. Making such a ride or run on a dedicated trial is ever better in the Coachella Valley. After 14 years of perseverance, the Coachella Valley proudly celebrated the grand opening of CV Link – a 40-mile pathway connecting communities from Palm Springs to Coachella. Led by the Coachella Valley Association of Governments (CVAG), this multimodal corridor was designed and built for cyclists, pedestrians, and low-speed electric vehicles, offering a safer, scenic alternative to busy roadways.

Construction on the 40-mile corridor began in 2017 and was built mostly along the Whitewater River from Highway 111 and the Chino Wash in North Palm Springs to Airport Boulevard in the City of Coachella. CVAG, RCTC, and numerous partners across the county and the state worked together to bring this multimodal trail to life. Through Measure A, the twice voter-approved half-cent sales tax measure for transportation improvements in Riverside County, RCTC was able to support CV Link, and bring innovative mobility options to Coachella Valley that transform how people move.

The new pathway features a dual-path structure: a broad concrete lane catering to cyclists and low-speed electric vehicles, alongside a narrower decomposed granite trail designed for pedestrians and runners. To enhance safety, accessibility, and enjoyment, the facility features numerous shade structures, water stations, benches, bike racks, wayfinding signs, and solar powered LED lights along the pathway and at access points along each section of CV Link. The new trail will also be able to host future events like walks, races, and marathons.

CV Link marks an important step forward to building a resilient, more interconnected transportation system that provides options to residents in all corners of the County. Over the next 15 years, Riverside County will experience one of the largest population increases in the country. RCTC designed the Traffic Relief Plan – a countywide transportation investment blueprint – to address the transportation needs of our rapidly growing region. The Plan includes projects, such as the transformative Coachella Valley Rail, that will provide residents, commuters, and disadvantaged communities with more travel options.

RCTC congratulates CVAG and project partners on delivering the innovative CV Link and looks forward to continuing the momentum on Coachella Valley Rail, CV Sync, and the extension of CV Link to create a more mobile Coachella Valley and beyond.

RCTC is asking the public to participate in the renaming of the 79 Realignment Project! RCTC, in partnership with the County of Riverside, is working on Segment 3 of the SR-79 Realignment Project. The project is a proposed new 12-mile county expressway from south of Domenigoni Parkway north to Gilman Springs Road with two lanes in each direction. Since the new corridor will not be part of the state highway system, RCTC is asking residents to help choose a new name that reflects the local character, culture, and identity of the region.

The new expressway is designed to improve safety and connectivity for the growing communities of Winchester, Hemet, San Jacinto, and surrounding areas in Riverside County. Once complete, the new expressway will include two lanes in each direction separated by a 14-foot median, outside shoulders, and space reserved for a future 35-foot-wide transportation corridor and multipurpose trail. Key improvements include wildlife passageways, bridges over Salt Creek Channel, Patterson Avenue, and Patton Avenue, and design elements to enhance traffic flow and safety.

The project was first envisioned as a state route facility and later converted to a county expressway due to funding and state policy changes. RCTC invites the public to participate in the naming process through a short online survey. Residents are encouraged to submit a name that honors the region’s history, culture, and identity. The input gathered will help shape the future of this vital corridor.

Submit your suggestion for the name of the new expressway, along with a brief explanation, by Friday, October 24, 2025. The new name will be selected in early 2026 Each participant will have the opportunity to enter a raffle for a chance to win a $100 gift card. Fill out the survey at: rctc.org/79-survey

Summer is winding down and many of us are gearing up for one last adventure on the open road. Whether you’re planning a long road trip or just commuting locally, a little preparation goes a long way to ensure a safe, smooth ride. Here are some essential tips from RCTC to help you travel smart this season.

Before you set out, it’s critical to inspect your vehicle. Check your tires, brakes, fluids, and lights to ensure everything is in good working order. It’s a good idea to stock your car with some key emergency items like a spare tire/sealant, first-aid kit, flashlight, and jumper cables. Also, don’t forget to pack water, snacks, a phone charger, and any emergency supplies you might need.

Planning your route ahead of time can help you save time and avoid unnecessary frustration. Use resources like SoCal511.org or dial 511 for live traffic reports and transit planning assistance in southern California. This free service is an excellent resource for identifying rest stops and planning alternative routes when needed.

Despite all the best preparations, breakdowns can still occur. If you find yourself stranded on one of Riverside County’s many freeways, the Freeway Service Patrol (FSP) is available to help. These specially marked yellow and white tow trucks have the FSP logo. They cover key highways like the SR-91, I-15, SR-60, and I-215, and their drivers can assist with services like jump-starting your battery or providing a gallon of gas — at no cost to you.

If you experience a breakdown, remember to move your vehicle to the shoulder and stay inside with your seat belt fastened. FSP patrols operate mainly during peak commute times. If you need immediate assistance, don’t hesitate to call 911 — especially if you are in a dangerous situation.

For non-emergencies, you can reach out to CHP Dispatch or your roadside assistance provider, or even a friend or family member for help.

As you travel along Riverside and San Bernardino County highways, you might notice all the roadside call boxes have been removed. With most drivers now using mobile phones to contact roadside assistance directly, call box usage has declined significantly in recent years. As a result, regional transportation agencies have begun phasing out the call box system in favor of more modern methods of assisting motorists. It’s important to keep this in mind when traveling throughout the Inland Empire.

Smart driving doesn’t just happen — it starts with small habits. A quick safety check and being prepared for the unexpected can turn any trip into a wonderful adventure. Enjoy your summer travels and stay safe out there!

RCTC wants to hear from you! On Monday, August 11, RCTC will hold a public hearing to gather input on transit needs within Riverside County. Comments received will be used by RCTC and the county’s transit operators to identify transit needs in preparation for transportation plans and programs. The comments will be transmitted to transit and paratransit operators as they relate to operating issues and needs.

The public hearing will be held in-person at 11 a.m. on Monday, August 11, 2025, at the following three locations:

RCTC Conf. Room A 4080 Lemon Street 3rd Floor Riverside, CA 92502

SunLine Transit Agency Board Room 32505 Harry Oliver Trail Thousand Palms, CA 92776

Palo Verde Valley Transit Agency Room A 415 N. Main Street Blythe, CA 92225

For those unable to attend the in-person hearings, comments can be submitted via online contact form, email, postal mail, or by calling 951-787-7141. Comments are due by August 11, 2025.

You can mail comments to:
Riverside County Transportation Commission
Attn: Transit Needs Public Hearing
P.O. Box 12008
Riverside, CA 92502-2208

Email comments to publictransit@rctc.org with Transit Needs Public Hearing Comments in the subject line.

English to Spanish translation and an American Sign Language interpreter will be made available at the RCTC location. Translation and interpretation services for the satellite locations will be made available through teleconferencing.

Help shape the future of transportation!