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

Following an earlier round of community feedback, RCTC is seeking input on the name of the new expressway between unincorporated community of Winchester, city of Hemet, and the city of San Jacinto as part of the SR-79 Realignment Project.

The new 12-mile county expressway is designed to improve safety and connectivity for the growing communities of Winchester, Hemet, San Jacinto, and surrounding areas. Once complete, the new expressway will include two lanes of travel in each direction separated by a 14-foot median, multipurpose trail, outside shoulders, and space for a future transportation corridor. Key improvements also include wildlife crossings, a bridge over Salt Creek Channel, and other design elements to enhance traffic flow and safety in the region.

Because the new roadway will be a county expressway rather than part of the state highway system, RCTC is asking residents to help choose a name that reflects the local character, culture, and identity of the region.

Make your preferred choice by Sunday, August 9, 2026, by visiting: rctc.org/expressway-renaming. The new project name will be revealed in fall 2026.

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:

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.

On Monday, June 1, 2026, RCTC, in partnership with Caltrans, City of Temecula, and Western Riverside Council of Governments, launched the state’s first-of-its-kind Smart Freeway system with the activation of the I-15 Smart Freeway Project. The pilot project will operate for a two-year period.

“Launching California’s first Smart Freeway is an exciting step forward for Riverside County,” said RCTC Chair Raymond Gregory. “Building our way out of traffic congestion is not an option. In today’s environment of rapid growth, we must look at how we can combine technology with existing infrastructure to improve the driving experience. The Smart Freeway Pilot Project is an example of finding a lower cost solution that will help improve traffic flow without the addition of new lanes.”

This project is intended to address the increasing traffic congestion along an 8-mile stretch of northbound I-15 between the Riverside/San Diego County line in Temecula and the I-15/I-215 interchange in Murrieta. The newly activated system uses advanced traffic sensors and adaptive ramp metering to optimize the rate of vehicles entering the freeway during peak hours – improving traffic flow, reducing stop-and-go conditions, and providing more reliable travel times for drivers.

Ramp meters at Temecula Parkway, Rancho California Road, and Winchester Road will operate in coordination to optimize the rate of vehicles entering the freeway during peak hours. Digital message signs will display recommended speeds in real-time to improve safety and traffic flow. During the pilot period, drivers may have a slightly longer wait before entering the freeway, but the goal is to improve overall freeway travel times.

In coordination with Caltrans, RCTC will analyze results over two years to evaluate system performance. A public dashboard will be available by the end of the year to share updates and performance metrics with the community. If the system is determined to be successful, implementation may be considered in other parts of Riverside County and beyond.

The project was funded by federal, state, and local sources. Of the $33 million secured, $27 million came from federal funding; the State provided $1 million, and $5 million was secured through a congressional Community Project Funding request by Representative Ken Calvert. Local, state, and federal officials gathered in the City of Temecula on Friday, May 29 to celebrate the partnership and significant project milestone of the system’s activation.

For more information about this innovative project, please visit: rctc.org/smartfreeway

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.

RCTC took a significant step to advance the I-15 Express Lanes Project Southern Extension with the approval of a Progressive Design-Build Phase 1 contract. The project is a major investment aimed at reducing congestion and improving travel for Riverside County residents along one of the region’s busiest transportation corridors.

“The I-15 corridor is a heavily traveled route in Riverside County and a critical connection for residents, commuters, and goods movement throughout our region,” said Raymond Gregory, Mayor of Cathedral City and Chair of RCTC. “This project is an important step toward helping people spend less time stuck in traffic.”

As a major first for a highway infrastructure project in California, RCTC is utilizing a Progressive Design-Build method to accelerate the delivery of the project. Phase 1 includes the preliminary design along with validating the project scope and negotiating the cost for Phase 2. Phase 2 will include final design and construction.

The project will extend the existing I-15 Express Lanes approximately 15.8 miles south by adding two Express Lanes in each direction from Cajalco Road in Corona to State Route 74 (Central Avenue) in Lake Elsinore. The project includes widening up to 15 bridges, constructing auxiliary lanes, installing electronic toll collection systems, and implementing drainage and noise reduction features along existing right-of-way.

Based on available funding, the project could begin construction in late 2027 and open to traffic by 2030. Once completed, the project is expected to improve traffic flow and help Riverside County residents and commuters traveling through the I-15 corridor spend less time in traffic.

For more information about the I-15 Express Lanes Project Southern Extension and to sign up for updates, please visit: rctc.org/15projectsouth

Riverside County remains one of the fastest growing regions in the country because of the many things our vibrant region has to offer. Continued population and economic growth mean Riverside County needs a comprehensive plan to improve transportation infrastructure that supports our residents – now and into the future. In 2024, the Commission approved the Traffic Relief Plan (TRP), an aspirational blueprint of transportation investments designed to reduce traffic congestion, implement roadway safety measures, and offer greater mobility options for communities across the county.

RCTC will be hosting two tele-town halls to provide a forum for Riverside County residents to learn more about the TRP and ask questions about the projects planned in their community. RCTC Chair and Cathedral City Mayor, Raymond Gregory will host separate eastern and western county tele-town hall meetings.

Residents are encouraged to participate and dial in to one of the two tele-town halls:

• Coachella Valley/Palo Verde Valley/Blythe Tele-Town Hall
  • Monday, April 13, 2026, at 5:30 p.m.
  • Call (855)-756-7520 Ext.131847#
• Western Riverside County Tele-Town Hall
  • Wednesday, April 29, 2026, at 5:30 p.m.
  • Call (855)-756-7520 Ext.131857#

The TRP outlines Riverside County’s comprehensive strategy to address our growing communities’ immediate and long-term transportation needs. Implementing the TRP projects and services will require significant new funding from local, state, and federal sources. Later this summer, Commissioners representing every city in the county and all five members of the County Board of Supervisors will decide what steps can be taken to fund projects outlined in the TRP.

Learn more and read the Traffic Relief Plan at www.trafficreliefplan.org.

951-787-7900

The Riverside County Transportation Commission (RCTC) will be hosting a webinar on Monday, April 6, 2026, from 5:30 p.m. to 6:30 p.m. to provide information about the Traffic Relief Plan (TRP). Riverside County residents are encouraged to log on to learn more about the TRP and the projects planned in their community.

Approved by the Commission in 2024, the TRP is a comprehensive countywide strategic blueprint identifying $30 billion in transportation investments to help reduce traffic congestion, repair potholes on local roads and streets, increase the frequency of public transportation, and strengthen Riverside County’s transportation infrastructure against natural disasters.

RCTC is urging Riverside County residents to attend the April 6 webinar to learn more about the TRP. Following a presentation, residents will have an opportunity to ask questions. Simultaneous Spanish translation will be offered during the webinar.

Virtual Public Webinar
Date: Monday, April 6, 2026
Time: 5:30 p.m. – 6:30 p.m.
Zoom Webinar Link: rctc.org/TRPwebinar

To download and read the full plan, please visit TrafficReliefPlan.org.

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.

The I-15 Smart Freeway Pilot Project has reached a significant milestone. In February, the Commission launched a 90-day baseline data collection period to help establish a reference point for current traffic conditions on northbound I-15 between the San Diego/Riverside County line and the I-15 in the city of Murrieta. Data collected during the pilot period will serve as a baseline to evaluate system performance over a two-year span. Results from the pilot period will help determine future implementation and whether this innovative approach could improve freeway operations in other parts of Riverside County and beyond.

This first-of-its-kind project in California incorporated “smart” technology on nearly eight miles of road along northbound I-15. Completed in late 2025, the system will use advanced traffic sensors and adaptive ramp metering to optimize traffic flow on the northbound I-15 and potentially make commutes shorter.

During the 90-day baseline data collection period, several sensors along this stretch of northbound I-15 will be gathering data on traffic volumes, vehicle speeds, and travel times to establish a snapshot of how the corridor is performing. Drivers won’t notice any changes to traffic patterns during this period. After the 90 days, activated ramp meters will adjust in real time to help smooth traffic flow, reduce stop-and-go conditions, and improve travel time reliability – marking the official start of the I-15 Smart Freeway Pilot Project demonstration period.

A public dashboard will be launched this spring at smartfreeway.org to share corridor performance data with the community, including traffic volume and travel times. Residents and commuters will be able to track how the system is performing over the two-year pilot period.

For more information about the I-15 Smart Freeway Pilot Project and to sign up for future updates, please visit: rctc.org/smartfreeway