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

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 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.

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

The City of Beaumont and RCTC recently announced that RCTC will be taking the lead on two major infrastructure projects designed to improve connectivity in the region: Phase II of the SR-60 / Potrero Boulevard Interchange Project and initial planning and feasibility phase of the I-10 / SR-79 (Beaumont Avenue) Interchange Project. These important infrastructure projects aim to expand regional mobility, improve traffic flow, and enhance safety for thousands of daily commuters who travel through these busy corridors.

The SR-60 / Potrero Boulevard Interchange Project, located between Jack Rabbit Trail and the SR-60 / I-10 junction, will continue with major improvements as part of Phase II that include:

• Widening Potrero Boulevard to six lanes on both sides of SR-60
• Adding two direct on-ramps, two loop on-ramps, and two direct off-ramps
• Realigning Western Knolls Avenue with Potrero Boulevard north of the new interchange

In addition, RCTC, the City of Beaumont, and Caltrans are also collaborating to improve the I-10 / SR-79 (Beaumont Avenue) interchange and nearby roads in Beaumont. This heavily traveled area is a major hub used by local commuters and regional travelers from Riverside, Orange, and Los Angeles counties. The project aims to alleviate traffic congestion, improve traffic flow, and provide a smoother, safer commute for motorists passing through this busy corridor.

“RCTC is proud to take the lead on these projects that will help improve the lives of residents in Beaumont and the surrounding communities, and for commuters traveling through this busy corridor,” said Supervisor Karen Spiegel, Chair of RCTC and Vice-Chair of the Riverside County Board of Supervisors. “The collaboration between RCTC, the City of Beaumont, and Caltrans will help deliver these vital transportation projects to shape the future of travel in Riverside County.”

Construction for the SR-60 / Potrero Interchange Project is anticipated to begin in 2026, pending approval by Caltrans and construction bid advertisement and award by RCTC.

For more information on the Potrero project, visit: www.beaumontca.gov

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/. 

Following up a banner year in 2022, a year in which RCTC delivered a staggering five capital projects, the agency carried that momentum into 2023 – advancing projects and investing in transportation improvements for communities across Riverside County. This progress was highlighted in RCTC’s 2023 Annual Report. 

Investments in Riverside County’s highways and roads continued in 2023. The agency started and ended the year strong – breaking ground on the transformative 71/91 Interchange Project in January, followed by the highly-anticipated opening of the 15/91 Express Lanes Connector in October. Together, these projects will improve connectivity, reduce traffic flow, and expand transportation options for the region. 

Enhancing public transportation continued to be a point of emphasis for RCTC in 2023. The transformational Coachella Valley Rail Project (CV Rail) was added to the federal Identification and Development Program and awarded $500,000 by the Federal Railroad Administration. This designation and grant award recognizes the value CV Rail will bring to Riverside County and throughout southern California. Crews on the Moreno Valley/March Field Station Improvements Project continued working on adding a second platform and extending the existing platform to accommodate the standard six car Metrolink trains, moving the project closer to completion later this year. Additionally, the California State Transportation Agency awarded $15.5 million to the Metrolink Double Track Project on the 91/Perris Valley Line to improve reliability and future capacity for service, capping off a strong year of state and federal investment in the county’s rail network.

RCTC celebrated a special birthday – the Freeway Service Patrol’s (FSP) 30 years of service. FSP drivers assisted over 56,000 motorists during the past year and more than one million motorists total since the program’s inception in 1993. FSP drivers aid stranded motorists by jump-starting batteries, fixing flat tires, conducting other minor roadside repairs, or towing vehicles to CHP-approved locations.  

Sharing is caring – motorists were encouraged to share rides and reduce greenhouse gas emissions through the popular IE Commuter program. The program supported more than 1,100 employers with ridesharing programs and reduced 10.7 million pounds of vehicle emissions in 2023. 

RCTC’s environmental stewardship extends beyond just transportation. As the managing agency of the Western Riverside County Regional Conservation Authority (RCA), RCTC continues to help the RCA drive conservation efforts in western Riverside County. The RCA is tasked with establishing a 500,000-acre habitat reserve under the Multiple Species Habitat Conservation Plan (MSHCP) – one of the largest conservation plans in the nation. 2023 was a year marked by significant funding and agency-led advocacy effort successes. The RCA secured nearly $27 million in various state and federal grants and acquired more 1,120 acres of sensitive habitat for protection. As of this writing, over 415,000 acres of habitat have been assembled as part of the MSHCP. 

The twice voter-approved Measure A continued to be a critical funding source for transit services, local roads, and highway projects. In 2023, RCTC approved over $310 million in Measure A funding for countywide projects: $135 million in funding for 18 significant regional transportation projects as part of the Regional Arterial Program, an additional $143.9 million for 285 local road projects, and allocated over $32 million in Measure A funds for local bus systems, passenger rail, and specialized transit services. 

As we move forward into 2024, RCTC is looking ahead at the future of transportation in our communities. To address the growing needs of Riverside County, RCTC has drafted a 2024 Traffic Relief Plan outlining future transportation infrastructure enhancements, increased transit services, and repairing our local streets and roads. Residents are urged to provide their input at trafficreliefplan.org to make sure future transportation needs continue to be met. 

Learn more about RCTC’s 2023 work and accomplishments in the official Annual Report. 

Growth is happening

While some portions of California have lost residents, Riverside County – a safe, dynamic, affordable part of the state – continues to grow. Since 2002, Riverside County’s population has increased by 67%, and over the next 25 years, our 2.5 million-person county will increase by another 500,000 residents, the equivalent of adding two new cities the size of Moreno Valley.

“There’s no question that we need to make calculated investments in our county transportation infrastructure, not only to maintain and improve mobility, but also to keep growth from overwhelming our ability to live, work, learn, explore, go places, and enjoy life,” said Riverside County Transportation Commission (RCTC) Chair and City of Beaumont councilmember Lloyd White.

On a daily basis, residents across Riverside County contend with traffic jams, aging roads and bridges, and limited bus and train schedules. Without action, growth will only aggravate these challenges and leave residents in a never-ending congestion loop.

RCTC is listening

RCTC has developed the draft 2024 Traffic Relief Plan, or TRP, to improve mobility, enhance safety, and prevent growth from overwhelming the county transportation system. The TRP is a county-wide strategic blueprint to reduce traffic congestion by constructing highway improvements, repairing potholes on local roads and streets, increasing the frequency of public transportation, and fortifying our transportation infrastructure against natural disasters in Riverside County.

To shape the plan, RCTC has gathered input from residents on transportation priorities for local and regional corridors over the last several years.

The response has been clear and consistent: Residents want safer, smoother roads, faster-moving freeways, and more opportunities to ride convenient trains and buses. They want improvements to corridors such as State Route 79, Cajalco Road, the Ramona Expressway, and Highway 111. Residents seek help for the 91, 10, 215, and 60 freeways – from bridges and interchanges to more efficient traffic flow. Residents want to protect critical roadways and bridges from flooding, blowsand, and earthquakes.

Keep choices and outcomes local

Those who live, drive, walk, bike, and take transit here know the region best. The TRP draws strength from residents’ perspectives, creates consensus through an inclusive process, and proactively moves real transportation solutions forward – faster.

Waiting for transportation help from Sacramento or Washington, D.C. would leave Riverside County stalled indefinitely. Not only do state and federal officials have other priorities, but history suggests their involvement in local transportation issues leads to a one-size-fits-all approach with top-down mandates, politicized projects, and bridges to nowhere. The TRP is shaped by local voices and local concerns for the benefit of Riverside County residents.

The plan

In Riverside County, local action can drive better outcomes. Looking ahead, the TRP outlines a series of transportation improvements across all of Riverside County, including in western Riverside County, Coachella Valley, and the Palo Verde Valley.

The plan considers every community, and comprises eight investment areas:

Combined, these investments would repair, modernize, and add missing links in the transportation system across Riverside County; promote cost-effective upgrades; and provide residents with an interconnected transportation network ready for the future.

Next steps

At this time, the plan is not funded. The TRP is an aspirational guide that prioritizes and facilitates those transportation projects that residents say they value most.

The plan remains open for public input through March 31. To provide your input, please visit trafficreliefeplan.org.

RCTC’s commissioners, who represent every city in Riverside County and all county residents via their Board of Supervisors, plan to finalize the TRP this spring. In early summer the commission might then consider whether or not to ask voters for funding to implement the plan and deliver results.

More input, please

As the process proceeds, residents are encouraged to weigh in on the TRP.

“We need public input to make the best decisions we can on prioritizing transportation projects and ensuring the strongest possible Traffic Relief Plan,” White said.

Public input is essential to RCTC’s mission to implement transportation solutions that connect communities for a better quality of life. Please visit TrafficReliefPlan.org to read the draft, review the priorities, and offer ideas. All voices are welcome.

The Riverside County Transportation Commission unanimously approved $135 million for 18 significant regional transportation projects in June. The approved projects will help relieve traffic congestion and improve transportation safety. From street widenings to a grade separation and roadways extension projects, these transportation projects are designed to improve mobility.

“Regional arterial roads are the backbone of our communities and their economies,” said Commission Chair and Lake Elsinore City Councilmember Robert “Bob” Magee. “RCTC continues to deliver on promises made to Riverside County voters to improve mobility for our residents and businesses. Many communities will see tangible results from the funds approved by the Commission,” he said.

Funding for arterial projects is vital for mobility and economic opportunities in Riverside County. Roadway arterials help our residents access their jobs, homes, and local businesses. Arterial projects such as the Bundy Canyon Rd./Scott Rd. Widening in Menifee will widen existing roadway, redesign and realign curves to current standards, construct new and improve existing traffic signals, and will provide an Active Transportation Corridor (ATP Corridor) for bicyclists, pedestrians, and even small electric vehicles.

This is just one example of improvements on one project. Other projects throughout the County will see improved safety, connectivity, and air quality in our communities thanks to Measure A and TUMF.

Measure A, the voter-approved half-cent sales tax that provides funds for passenger rail, public transit, local streets and roads, and major highway projects, will fund approximately $85 million of the awarded amount. Measure A includes specific funding in western Riverside County for regional arterials, which are major regional roadways. The Transportation Uniform Mitigation Fee (TUMF) will provide $50 million of the awarded funds. TUMF is an impact fee on new land development in western Riverside County.

Projects receiving funding include:

• City of Banning – Sun Lakes Extension ($13,500,000/Measure A)
• City of Beaumont – Second St. Extension ($1,500,000/Measure A)
• City of Beaumont – Potrero Interchange Phase 2 ($8,000,000/TUMF)
• City of Calimesa – Realign Calimesa Blvd. at Cherry Valley Blvd. ($5,200,000/TUMF)
• City of Corona – Ontario Ave. Widening ($7,938,781/Measure A)
• City of Eastvale – Limonite Ave. Gap Closure Project ($13,500,000/Measure A)
• City of Menifee – McCall Blvd. Widening Project ($3,140,000/Measure A)
• City of Menifee – Bundy Canyon Rd./Scott Rd. Widening ($632,440/Measure A) & ($9,367,560/TUMF)
• City of Moreno Valley – Indian St./Cardinal Ave. Bridge (Over Lateral A) ($750,000/Measure A)
• City of Murrieta – Murrieta Hot Springs Rd. Widening – Margarita to SR-79 ($3,000,000/Measure A)
• City of Perris – Ethanac Rd. Bridge over San Jacinto River & and Extension ($8,798,000/TUMF)
• City of Riverside – Third St. Grade Separation ($12,000,000/Measure A)
• City of San Jacinto – Esplanade Ave. Widening – Sanderson to Warren ($3,960,00/Measure A)
• City of Temecula – Ynez Rd. Improvements ($1,475,000/Measure A)
• City of Wildomar – Clinton Keith Rd. Widening ($2,254,919/Measure A) & ($3,396,221/TUMF)
• City of Wildomar – Bundy Canyon Rd. Improvement – Segment 2 ($13,298,440/Measure A)
• City of Wildomar – Bundy Canyon Rd. Improvement – Segment 3 ($8,050,420/Measure A)
• County of Riverside – Cajalco Rd. Widening and Safety Enhancement ($15,000,000/TUMF)

Including last week’s approved projects, Measure A Arterial Regional program has provided funding to more than 25 regional arterial projects since its inception in 2009.

Residents, business operators, motorists, and surrounding community members who travel near the Interstate 10 Highland Springs Interchange in Beaumont and Banning are invited to attend a public information meeting on Monday, February 27 to learn about proposed improvements to this heavily traveled area.

RCTC, in partnership with Caltrans and the cities of Banning and Beaumont, have started preliminary engineering and environmental studies to look at ways to enhance traffic flow and safety. The interchange has some of the highest traffic volumes in Riverside County during peak morning and afternoon hours. It also serves as the main connection to large housing developments as well as retail, commercial, medical, and employment centers.

The meeting will be held in an open house style format with no formal presentation, although attendees are encouraged to talk to team members and ask questions about the project. Participants can learn about and give feedback on the proposed designs, which will modify the lanes at the Highland Springs underpass and add merging lanes to make it easier to reach homes and other destinations.

Two main design options will be studied – one that would change the existing on-ramps to hook-style ramps and the other that would convert the ramps to a diverging diamond interchange. This second option would allow drivers to travel on Highland Springs Avenue under I-10 by crossing to the opposite side of the street, and then returning to the right side of the street once through the interchange. This option would enable drivers to enter or exit I-10 or continue on Highland Springs Avenue without crossing opposing traffic. Watch the video below to learn more.

Meeting attendees are encouraged to talk to members of the project team about the designs and provide feedback with a comment card, by email at highlandsprings@rctc.org, or by U.S. mail at Riverside County Transportation Commission, P.O. Box 12008, Riverside, CA 92502-2208. Public comments are an important part of the project development process. Comments will be accepted through March 27.

The engineering and environmental studies are expected to be completed in 2025. Once funding and environmental approvals are secured, final design of the interchange could begin as early as 2026, and construction could follow in 2027.

To register for project updates, please visit the project webpage and register through the Contact Us section.