79 Realignment Project (Segment 3)

091525 79 Realignment (Segment 3) Map

Status: Pre-Construction

Location: Western Riverside County

Type of Project: Highways

Location: Simpson Road to Newport Road in the unincorporated area of Winchester

Final Design: 2025 to 2027

Construction: 2028 to 2030

Investment: $288 million (final design and construction)

OVERVIEW

The Riverside County Transportation Commission (RCTC), in partnership with Caltrans and the County of Riverside, is conducting final design and engineering for a new 2-mile limited access expressway with two lanes in each direction between Simpson Road and Newport Road in Winchester. Three signalized intersections at Newport Road, Domenigoni Parkway, and Simpson Road will be placed. This project is “Segment 3” of RCTC’s 79 Realignment Project, which will provide a 12-mile north-south transportation corridor between the community of Winchester and San Jacinto. The project will be renamed since it will not be part of the state highway system.

The new transportation corridor is designed to meet the needs of the area’s growing population and will include two lanes in each direction separated by a 14-foot median buffer, outside shoulders, accommodations for a future 35-foot-wide transportation corridor, and a multipurpose trail. The benefits and features include:

  • Improve traffic flow for local and regional north-south traffic in the San Jacinto Valley with a new corridor
  • Reduce division of traffic from the state routes onto local roadways
  • Wildlife passafeway at Patton Avenue, Patterson Avenue and Salt Creek Channel
  • Bridge over Salt Creek Channel, Patterson Avenue and Patton Avenue
  • Enhance safety by constructing a 14-foot median buffer, outside shoulders, and accommodations for a future transportation corridor

The final design and engineering are anticipated to be completed in 2027.

If funding is secured and the final design is complete, construction could begin as early as 2028. RCTC will seek federal, state, and local funding sources to deliver this project.

RCTC wants your input on the name of the new 79 expressway in the San Jacinto, Hemet, and Winchester area!


Submit your suggestion by Friday, October 24, 2025 by taking the short online survey.