How do you get your travel information? Whether you’re checking traffic before heading out, planning a transit trip, or looking for rideshare or vanpool options, SoCal 511 is designed to help travelers across southern California plan for a smoother trip.

Travelers are now invited to help guide the next evolution of SoCal 511.

To ensure SoCal 511 continues to meet the needs of today’s travelers, Los Angeles County Service Authority for Freeway Emergencies (LA SAFE) and its regional partners, including RCTC, are seeking input from the traveling public through an online customer survey. The purpose of the survey is to better understand how people currently use SoCal 511, what information they find most valuable, and where improvements can be made.

Whether you use SoCal 511 regularly or have only accessed it a few times, your feedback will help inform future enhancements to SoCal 511, including how information is presented, which features are most useful, and how effectively the system communicates travel updates. As travel patterns, technology, and user expectations evolve, this input will play an important role in guiding updates that improve the overall user experience.

This regional service is provided through a partnership between the Riverside County Transportation Commission, San Bernardino County Transportation Authority, Orange County Transportation Authority, Ventura County Transportation Commission, and Los Angeles County Metropolitan Transit Authority.

Visit SoCal511Survey.com to take the survey and share your feedback.

During its December 10 meeting, the Commission approved more than $156 million in construction contracts for two regionally significant projects: Mid County Parkway Ramona Expressway and SR-60/Potrero Boulevard Interchange – Phase II. These projects aim to enhance roadway safety, improve travel reliability, and support economic growth in two of Riverside County’s fastest growing regions.

“Safe and reliable transportation is the foundation of our daily lives – connecting us to school, work, and the people who matter to us the most,” said Supervisor Karen Spiegel, RCTC Chair and Vice Chair of the Riverside County Board of Supervisors. “The Mid County Parkway Ramona Expressway will address critical safety improvements in one of the most traveled corridors in our region. Phase II of the Potrero Interchange will enhance regional mobility throughout the San Gorgonio Pass. Together, these two projects will a create a safer and more connected Riverside County for us all.”

The Mid County Parkway Ramona Expressway Project will upgrade 8.6 miles of roadway between Rider Street and Warren Road in San Jacinto. Between 2017 and 2022, this heavily traveled corridor experienced numerous collisions resulting in 14 fatalities and 17 severe injuries. The project will address critical safety needs by widening the roadway to two lanes in each direction, adding a raised median, building a wildlife crossing, and constructing a new bridge over the San Jacinto River.

In the San Gorgonio Pass, the City of Beaumont has partnered with RCTC and Caltrans to deliver Phase II of the SR-60/Potrero Boulevard Interchange. The project will build a new interchange at State Route 60, realign Western Knolls Avenue, and widen Potrero Boulevard to six lanes. These enhancements will make it easier to access SR‑60 and support ongoing residential and economic growth in Beaumont and across Riverside County.

Construction for both projects will begin in early 2026. Once completed, these two projects will deliver on RCTC’s commitment to providing vital transportation infrastructure that meets the needs of our region’s rapidly growing communities.

The Commission took a bold step toward modernizing how motorists receive help on Riverside County roads by approving a contract with ICF Resources, LLC to conduct a comprehensive study on designing a next-generation Motorist Assistance Program (MAP) that reflects today’s technology and continues to meet the needs of the traveling public, especially following the recent sunset of the county’s call box system.

Before the widespread use of cell phones, call boxes were a lifeline for stranded drivers. Introduced in the 1990s, these roadside devices allowed motorists to request emergency help along highways and major corridors. But as cell phone coverage expanded and call box maintenance challenges mounted, RCTC and transportation agencies across California began phasing out the system. Over the past year, the remaining call boxes in Riverside County were removed.

Recognizing that motorists continue to face roadside emergencies despite the decline of call boxes usage, RCTC is exploring innovative ways to support motorists in need of assistance. The study will be the first-of-its-kind in California and will assess Riverside County’s current Motorist Assistance Program and identify modern alternatives that can fill the gap left by call boxes. The study will analyze various data points, including California Highway Patrol incident data, traffic volumes, and cellular coverage, to pinpoint areas where motorists may lack reliable service. The study will explore mobile-based solutions such as a 511 “call box” app feature, better cellular connectivity in low-coverage corridors, and the use of apps like Waze for real-time incident detection. Additionally, the study will evaluate the Freeway Service Patrol (FSP) to optimize service within current funding levels and anticipate future growth needs.

ICF is comprised of specialists in data analytics, emerging mobility technologies, and equity-focused planning. RCTC will coordinate with state and regional partners, including Caltrans, CHP, and local first responders, to ensure the new system leverages cutting-edge technology while remaining responsive to the needs of the community, partners, and stakeholders.

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

The I-215 serves as a crucial transportation corridor for the Inland Empire, connecting cities such as Riverside, San Bernardino, Murrieta, and Moreno Valley, while facilitating the movement of commuters and goods between major freeways and economic hubs. As the region continues to grow, this vital corridor plays an essential role in reducing congestion and supporting regional development.

One significant infrastructure project that has improved travel along this corridor is the I-215/Van Buren Boulevard Interchange Project, located near the March Air Reserve Base in Moreno Valley. Completed in 2015, the project began construction in 2012 and was a collaborative effort between the Riverside County Transportation Department (RCTD), Caltrans, the March Joint Powers Authority (March JPA), and the Riverside County Transportation Commission (RCTC). The project was designed to accommodate future growth by reconfiguring the previous tight diamond interchange. The enhancements included the addition of new on-ramps, realignment and widening of Van Buren Boulevard, and replacement of existing bridge structures over the railroad and freeway. Additionally, the I-215 was widened between Cactus Avenue and Harley Knox Boulevard, with a minor realignment of the southbound lanes to improve traffic flow.

Further improvements outside the interchange included new traffic signals and streetlights, upgraded lighting at the northbound ramps, auxiliary lanes along the I-215 between Van Buren Boulevard and Cactus Avenue, and acceleration and deceleration lanes south of Van Buren Boulevard.

Visual design elements were integrated into the bridge structures, retaining walls, and surrounding landscaping to reflect the area’s military heritage. Moreover, regional access to the Riverside National Cemetery and March Air Museum was significantly enhanced as a result of the new interchange. The project team was recognized with the American Planning Association’s 2015 IES-APA Urban Design Award for their work in urban planning and design.

Funding for the project came from Measure A, a voter-approved half-cent sales tax measure aimed at transportation improvements in Riverside County, which facilitated its progression to construction. The collaboration among RCTD, Caltrans, March JPA, and RCTC ensured that the interchange meets the transportation needs of the region.

Residents and motorists planning to travel northbound on I-15 from the Rancho California Road loop on-ramp are advised to plan ahead for an extended closure of the ramp. The extended full closure of the Rancho California Road loop on-ramp for northbound I-15 will begin on Thursday, August 14 at 9 p.m. through Monday, August 25 at 5 a.m. The closures are required to allow crews to safely extend a second lane of the on-ramp by several hundred feet and create a safety pocket for emergency vehicles.

While crews are completing work on the ramp, motorists are advised to travel east on Rancho California Road, northbound on Ynez Road, and west on Winchester Road to enter Northbound I-15.

Closure dates are subject to change due to weather, site conditions, construction progress, and other factors.

The work will involve reconfiguring and realigning the ramp to create a merge point between the loop and the direct on-ramps for Rancho California Road.

The Smart Freeway Pilot Project will use ramp meters that work as a coordinated system that adapts to allow more or fewer vehicles to enter I-15 at any given time from the Temecula Parkway, Rancho California Road, and Winchester Road on-ramps. The project is anticipated to improve overall traffic flow and reduce rear-end collisions within the I-15 corridor, without highway expansion and related construction costs and impacts.

For more information about the Smart Freeway Pilot Project and the Temecula Parkway on-ramp closure, visit rctc.org/temeculaclosures 

Residents and motorists planning to travel northbound on I-15 using the Rancho California Road direct on-ramp are advised to plan ahead for an extended closure of the ramp. RCTC will require an extended full closure of the Rancho California Road on-ramp for northbound I-15 beginning on Sunday, July 13 at 9 p.m. through Monday, July 21 at 5 a.m. The closures are required to allow crews to safely extend a second lane of the on-ramp by several hundred feet and create a safety pocket for emergency vehicles.

While crews are completing work on the ramp, motorists are advised to travel west on Rancho California Road, northbound on Jefferson Avenue, and east on Winchester Road to enter Northbound I-15.

Closure dates are subject to change due to weather, site conditions, construction progress, and other factors.

The work will also involve reconfiguring and realigning the ramp to create a merge point between the loop and the direct on-ramps for Rancho California Road. Later this summer, RCTC will require a similar closure of the northbound 15 Rancho California Road loop on-ramp.

The Smart Freeway Pilot Project will use ramp meters that work as a coordinated system that adapts to allow more or fewer vehicles to enter I-15 at any given time from the Temecula Parkway, Rancho California Road, and Winchester Road on-ramps. The project is anticipated to improve overall traffic flow and reduce rear-end collisions within the I-15 corridor, without highway expansion and related construction costs and impacts.

For more information about the Smart Freeway Pilot Project and the Temecula Parkway on-ramp closure, visit: rctc.org/temeculaclosures

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

On June 16, 2025, the City of Temecula, RCTC, and project partners gathered to celebrate the completion of Phase 2 of the French Valley Parkway Improvements Project.

The I-15/215 junction serves as a vital connection for Riverside County and the greater southern California region. This junction connects travelers from San Diego and beyond and is a vital lifeline for residents of Temecula and Murrieta. As southwest Riverside County continues to grow, the I-15 corridor and ramps have become increasingly congested, but relief is on the way.

Phase 2 of the French Valley Parkway Project addresses a major traffic bottleneck on northbound I-15 between Winchester Road and I-15/215 by constructing a concrete barrier to separate highway and on-ramp traffic. It features new dedicated ramps for motorists entering northbound I-15, including a new bridge overpass for direct access to I-215, which eliminates troublesome merging and weaving.

For nearly 20 years, RCTC prioritized funding for the French Valley Parkway Project, recognizing the project’s pivotal role in alleviating congestion in the region. RCTC allocated $47 million in State Transportation Improvement Program (STIP) funding for this project, one of the largest such allocations for a project.

Looking to the future, Phase 3 of the French Valley Parkway Project is a cornerstone of RCTC’s Traffic Relief Plan – a regionwide transportation improvement blueprint aimed at enhancing mobility across Riverside County. Partners in the region are working to start construction on future phases of French Valley Parkway to further alleviate traffic congestion. Phase 3 includes construction of the full-width of French Valley Parkway between Jefferson Avenue and Ynez Road, including the bridge overcrossing of I-15, and connecting on-ramps to the new dedicated on-ramps constructed in Phase 2. Phase 4 will construct a new northbound off-ramp and southbound on-ramps for the French Valley Parkway interchange, and new dedicated ramps along southbound I-15.

RCTC is also working on additional improvements along the I-15 Corridor in Temecula and Murrieta with the construction of the I-15 Smart Freeway Pilot Project – a first of its kind in California. Completion of Phase 2 of the French Valley Parkway Improvements Project, along with planned future improvements along this busy corridor, demonstrate how local and regional agencies are working collaboratively to improve Riverside County mobility for all residents.

For more information about this project, please visit: TemeculaCA.gov/FVP

Residents and motorists who are planning to enter northbound 15 using the Temecula Parkway on-ramp are advised to plan for an extended closure of the ramp. RCTC will require an extended full closure of the northbound I-15 Temecula Parkway on-ramp beginning on Sunday, May 11 at 9 p.m. through Monday, May 19 at 5 a.m. The closures are needed to allow crews to safely demolish and reconstruct portions of the on-ramp to provide an additional lane for the I-15 Smart Freeway Pilot Project. The work will require the use of heavy construction equipment during the extended closure.

During the closure, motorists are advised to travel west on Temecula Parkway, northbound on Old Town Front Street, east on Santiago Road, north on Ynez Road, and west on Rancho California Road to enter northbound I-15.

Closure dates are subject to change due to weather, site conditions, construction progress, and other factors.

Once in operation, the I-15 Smart Freeway Pilot Project will use a dynamic coordinated metering system to allow more or fewer vehicles to enter the highway at a given time, allowing for a smoother traffic flow on the northbound 15. The system is designed to improve traffic and reduce collisions on the eight-mile stretch of the northbound I-15 from the County Line in Temecula to the I-15/I-215 Interchange in Murrieta.

For more information about the Smart Freeway Pilot Project and the Temecula Parkway on-ramp closure, visit rctc.org/temeculaclosures