The Point: With the completion of the final project phase, communities will benefit from a new connection and improved quality of living
The opening of the Clinton Keith Extension Project makes it easier for motorists throughout the region to access I-215. This project widened the section from I-215 to Whitewood Road and Whitewood Road to Leon Road, providing six full lanes that offer access from I-215 to SR-79.
Before the project opened, motorists had to travel across a two-lane, rural road roughly two miles away to connect to SR-79. Through a partnership between Riverside County, the City of Murrieta, the City of Menifee, the Western Riverside Council of Governments (WRCOG), and the Riverside County Transportation Commission, the Clinton Keith Extension Project became a reality. This connection was necessary to accommodate the increased growth in the area.
The Clinton Keith Extension Project improves quality of living for the community by reducing travel time and improving safety, while also keeping environmental considerations in mind. Live goats from a local farmer were used as an environmentally friendly way to clear vegetation, which encouraged birds to nest in other locations. In addition to the hungry goats, a wildlife overcrossing was constructed to allow free movement of species, including the MSHCP-protected quino checkerspot butterfly.
Recently, the County of Riverside celebrated the completion of the project’s final phase which includes the extension of Clinton Keith Road from Leon Road to SR-79 connecting at the existing intersection at Benton Road.
This project was made possible by Measure A funding that was approved by the Commission. The new roadway was put in place to provide a more convenient and direct route for travelers throughout the region. The addition of this road creates a positive impact on the community by reducing congestion, enhancing economic development opportunities, and expanding accessibility to employment and education for disadvantaged communities.