91 Refresh Project
Completed Construction
Status: Completed Construction
Location: Eastbound and westbound 91 between the Lincoln Ave Interchange and Interstate 15 in Corona
Type of Project: Highways
Location: Eastbound and westbound 91 between the Lincoln Ave Interchange and Interstate 15 in Corona
Construction: Summer 2022 to fall 2023
Investment: $12.6 million
OVERVIEW
The Riverside County Transportation Commission, in partnership with Caltrans, repaved lanes and made repairs to sound walls and associated concrete barriers along the outer portions of eastbound and westbound 91 in Corona. Work took place mainly between the Lincoln Ave interchange and Interstate 15, an area with a long history of roadway settlement. This work was part of an ongoing investment in the heavily traveled 91 corridor.
The “91 Refresh” work took place from summer of 2022 through the fall of 2023.
Interstate 15 Interim Corridor Operations Project
Completed Construction
Status: Completed Construction
Location: Western Riverside County
Type of Project: Highways
Location: Southbound Interstate 15, Cajalco Road on-ramp to Weirick Road off-ramp
Construction: May 2022 to early fall 2022; lane opened July 2022
Investment: $5 million
OVERVIEW
The I-15 Interim Corridor Operations Project was the result of an agency task force led by staff from RCTC, Caltrans, the City of Corona, and the County of Riverside. The group began meeting in June 2021 to study alternatives and develop near-term improvements to help improve traffic operations. The CHP also provided input regarding safety and vehicle pull-over locations.
The project added a non-tolled lane to southbound I-15 between the Cajalco Road on-ramp and the Weirick Road off-ramp, a distance of just under one mile. To add the lane, crews strengthened the pavement of the outer and inner I-15 shoulders to handle traffic loads. Crews restriped the roadway to provide three 11-foot wide lanes, one 12-foot wide lane, a varying 3 to 8-foot wide outer shoulder, and a varying 2 to 5-foot wide inner shoulder. The new lane opened July 23, 2022.
Work began May 23, 2022, and the new lane opened on July 23, 2022. Closeout activities were completed in fall 2022.
RCTC completed engineering and environmental studies, as well as the project design, in early 2022. RCTC awarded a construction contract on March 9, 2022. Work began May 23, 2022, and the new lane opened on July 23, 2022. Closeout activities were completed in fall 2022.
For questions related to the Interstate 15 Interim Corridor Operations Project, please email info@rctc.org
Interstate 215 Placentia Avenue Interchange
Completed Construction
Status: Under Construction
Location: Western Riverside County
Type of Project: Interchanges
Location: I-215 Placentia Avenue, Perris
Construction: August 2020 to fall 2022
Investment: $42 million (construction)
OVERVIEW
The I-215 Placentia Avenue Interchange in Perris is the first construction project of the Mid County Parkway, a new 16-mile transportation corridor between the San Jacinto and Perris valleys. The Mid County Parkway is designed to reduce travel times between these areas. Please see the Mid County Parkway Ramona Expressway page for details about this corridor.
Designed to meet the needs of a growing population, the Placentia interchange project provides a new way to enter and exit I-215. The new interchange is located between Ramona Expressway to the north and Nuevo Road to the south. It was designed to improve access, traffic flow, and air quality by adding on-ramps and off-ramps to Placentia Avenue, realigning East Frontage Road, widening the Placentia Avenue overcrossing, and adding lanes to Placentia Avenue between Harvill Avenue and Indian Avenue.
Construction began on August 24, 2020 and the interchange opened fall 2022.
Construction began August 24, 2020 and the interchange opened fall 2022.
For questions related to the I-215 Placentia Avenue Interchange Project, please email info@rctc.org.
RIVERSIDE COUNTY METROLINK STATION IMPROVEMENTS
Completed Construction
Status: Under Construction
Location: Western Riverside County
Type of Project: Rail Station Improvements
Location: Riverside County Metrolink Stations
Construction: Various
Investment: Various
For questions related to these projects, email info@rctc.org
OVERVIEW
The Riverside County Transportation Commission (RCTC) owns and operates the Metrolink stations in Riverside County. Many improvements are being made to the stations to ensure riders have a positive experience.
See below for more information about each of the projects:
This project will address the needs of Riverside County commuters. Benefits and features include:
- Capacity: Adding a second train platform and lengthening the existing train platform to accommodate the length of Metrolink’s standard six-car trains. This will allow for service improvements on the 91/Perris Valley Line — both peak service and reverse commute service to and from adjacent counties — as well as improved service reliability within Riverside County. The project also will upgrade 2.5 miles of track that are part of a future nine mile double-track corridor south of the station.
- Traffic Flow: Reducing traffic congestion on Interstate 215 by providing efficient and reliable public transit options for Riverside County residents who have some of the longest commutes in southern California.
- Clean Air: Reducing auto emissions by encouraging more residents to commute by train.
Construction is expected to begin in fall 2022 and be completed by spring 2024.
This project will expand the Metrolink train layover facility at the Riverside-Downtown Station. The project will allow more trains to be housed at the station at the end of each night shift, which will allow for more efficient service.
Work began in March 2020 and was completed in May 2021.
This project proposes building an additional passenger loading platform and tracks to improve Metrolink service and extending the existing pedestrian bridge for added elevator and stair access.
Environmental studies and final design are under way and are expected to be completed by 2022.
This project is modernizing elevators at the Corona-North Main and Riverside-Downtown Stations by upgrading parts and installing new technology. The upgrades will allow the elevators to run more smoothly and with less down-time or needed repairs.
Upgrades to the Corona-North Main Station elevators were completed in April 2020. Upgrades to the Riverside-Downtown Station elevators are expected to be completed in June 2020.
Route 91 Pachappa Underpass
Completed Construction
Status: Completed
Location: Western Riverside County
Type of Project: Highways
Location: Route 91 north of Central Avenue in Riverside
Construction: Spring 2020 to October 2021
Investment: $8.8 million (construction)
OVERVIEW
The Riverside County Transportation Commission is building the Route 91 Pachappa Underpass in Riverside. The project will include construction of a retaining wall and removal of part of an overhead railroad bridge. Construction began in April 2020 and was completed in October 2021.
Construction contract was approved at the November 13, 2019 commission meeting. Work began in April 2020 and was completed in October 2021.
Construction will began in April 2020 and completed in October 2021.
- Construction Updates
This project includes work that was deleted from the Caltrans Route 91 High Occupancy Vehicle (Carpool Lane) Project. In December 2016, the Commission approved the removal of this work from that project and authorized this separate Pachappa Underpass Project. Most of the work consists of removing the Pachappa Underpass temporary bridge and its associated retaining walls and building a new retaining wall to support the final Union Pacific Railroad alignment.
Environmental Documents
15/91 Express Lanes Connector
Completed Construction
Status: Completed
Location: Corona
Type of Project: Express Lanes
Location: Interstate 15 and Route 91, Corona
Construction: April 2021 to November 2023
Investment: $270 million
OVERVIEW
RCTC, in partnership with Caltrans, constructed the 15/91 Express Lanes Connector, linking the 15 Express Lanes to the 91 Express Lanes. The project provides a new connection from the eastbound 91 Express Lanes to the northbound 15 Express Lanes and from the southbound 15 Express Lanes to the westbound 91 Express Lanes.
The 15/91 Express Lanes Connector was designed to provide a seamless transition between these Riverside County tolling systems for reliable, convenient travel for residents of Corona, Norco, Jurupa Valley, Eastvale, and points north in San Bernardino County, as well as express buses. The project also extended both the eastbound 91 outside general purpose lane and the eastern end of the 91 Express Lanes approximately one-half mile east to Promenade Avenue to help with vehicle merging in this area.
Project benefits and features include:
- Reduce congestion and improve traffic operations
- Enhance safety
- Create a seamless transition and increase travel time reliability between these two tolled systems
The project is fully funded, and RCTC awarded a design-build contract in April 2020. Construction began in April 2021 and the new connector opened to motorists in November 2023.
Construction began in April 2021 and the new connector opened in November 2023. During construction, four single-direction weekend closures of the connectors were utilized, as well as periodic nighttime lane closures of the connectors and on Route 91.
- 2017: RCTC receives $180 million in funding from Senate Bill 132 and the Commission approves amending existing contracts and/or pursuing new contracts to expedite project delivery
- 2018: RCTC prepares preliminary design and environmental studies
- 2019: Commission approves funding gap by authorizing the allocation of $90 million from surplus toll revenue and staff begins procurement for a design-build contractor
- April 2020: Commission approves design-build contractor and design work begin in spring 2020
- April 2021: Construction begins
- November 2023: Connector opens
ENVIRONMENTAL DOCUMENTS
Environmental Impact Report/Environmental Impact Statement (EIS/EIR):
The Supplemental Project Report and Environmental Revalidation documents were approved in June 2019:
The 15/91 Express Lanes Connector will require a nighttime full closure of southbound 15, from Hidden Valley Pkwy to the 91, Sunday, October 22 from 12 midnight to 7 a.m.
INTERSTATE 15 RAILROAD CANYON ROAD INTERCHANGE PROJECT
INTERSTATE 15 RAILROAD CANYON ROAD INTERCHANGE PROJECT
Status: Completed
Location: Western Riverside County
Type of Project: Interchanges
Location: Interstate 15 Railroad Canyon Road, Lake Elsinore
Construction: May 2020 to summer 2022
Investment: $41 million (construction)
OVERVIEW
The Riverside County Transportation Commission, in partnership with Caltrans and the City of Lake Elsinore, upgraded the Interstate 15 Railroad Canyon Interchange in Lake Elsinore.
The project was built to address the needs of the area’s growing number of residents and recreational visitors. The project also was designed to improve traffic flow for people traveling to and from Canyon Lake. Benefits and features included:
- Safety: Built auxiliary lanes on I-15 to help drivers enter and exit the highway and reduce traffic back-ups
- Capacity: Added two new lanes on Railroad Canyon Road through the interchange and new lanes to the on-ramps and off-ramps with I-15
- Traffic Flow: Replaced the northbound diamond off-ramp with hook-style on– and off-ramps that both connect to Grape Street
- Cleaner Air: Reduced the number of idling vehicles waiting to enter/exit I-15, for improved air quality
- Access: Constructed sidewalks and bike lanes along Railroad Canyon Road
Construction began in May 2020 and the new interchange opened in April 2022. Project closeout work continued through summer 2022.
Construction began in May 2020 and the new interchange opened in April 2022. Project closeout work continued through summer 2022.
- 2000: City of Lake Elsinore and Caltrans conducted a Project Study Report. Five alternatives and a no-build alternative were approved in the PSR in 2003.
- 2006: A Value Analysis Study was performed to evaluate each alternative.
- 2008: A Traffic Impact Analysis Study was completed, which identified four traffic scenarios. An Alternative Reduction Workshop was held and three alternatives were advanced for further study. The Federal Highway Administration provided suggestions to improve two alternatives, and in 2009, the City of Lake Elsinore and Caltrans eliminated the third remaining alternative.
- 2013: City of Lake Elsinore requested that RCTC manage the project on its behalf.
- 2017: Caltrans released the Draft Environmental Document. After comments were received, Caltrans selected Alternative 2, which consisted of construction of the interchange with hook ramps at Grape Street. The Federal Highway Administration approved the project’s Finding of No Significant Impact.
- May 2018: RCTC received the balance of project funding through the California Transportation Commission’s allocation of $15 million in gas tax revenue; project became fully funded.
- May 2018-2020: Right of way acquisition
- October 2019: Final design completed
- March 2020: Construction contract awarded
- May 2020: Construction began
- July 2021: Presentation to Lake Elsinore City Council – One year milestone
- April 2022: New interchange opened ahead of schedule
For questions related to the I-15 Railroad Canyon Interchange Project, please email info@rctc.org.
Route 91 Corridor Operations Project
Completed Construction
Status: Completed
Location: Western Riverside County
Type of Project: Highways
Location: Westbound Route 91, Green River Road on-ramp to Route 241
Construction: From November 2020 to February 2022
Investment: Estimated $29 million for construction
OVERVIEW
The Riverside County Transportation Commission, in partnership with Caltrans, the Orange County Transportation Authority, the City of Corona and the Transportation Corridor Agencies, opened the new westbound 91 lane between Green River Road in Corona and the 241 Toll Road in Anaheim on January 6, 2022. This new lane was the centerpiece of the Route 91 Corridor Operations Project. RCTC led the project through construction.
The project added a new lane to westbound 91 for approximately two miles between the Green River Road on-ramp and the southbound Route 241 connector, next to the outer shoulder. The new lane is designed to help relieve westbound traffic congestion through this heavily traveled corridor, particularly for morning commuters.
RCTC, in conjunction with project partners, opened on the new lane on January 6, 2022.
Construction began in November 2020. The new lane opened January 6, 2022.
Week of March 7, 2022 – Revised
Week of February 14, 2022 – Revised
Week of January 17, 2022 – REVISED
Special Construction Update – January 6, 2022
Week of November 8, 2021 (Revised)
October 20, 2021, Narrow Lanes Special Construction Update
Week of April 19, 2021 Revised
Week of March 8, 2021 (Extended)
Week of February 22 and March 1, 2021
Full westbound freeway closure – January 15, 2021
- March 2017: RCTC opens new general-purpose lanes and the 91 Express Lanes as part of the 91 Project on March 20.
- February–April 2018: RCTC gathers data related to traffic conditions to evaluate mobility on the 91 corridor. RCTC evaluates several options, including recommendations from the public, to improve traffic flow. Operational improvements to the 91 Express Lanes, including changes in striping, signage and channelizers, are initiated.
- May 2018: Commission votes to expend surplus 91 Express Lanes revenue to implement the 91 Corridor Operations Project, including:
- Restriping of the northbound I-15 entrance to the 91 Express Lanes,
- Restriping of westbound 91 at the Riverside/Orange County Line entrance/exit of the 91 Express Lanes,
- Studying the Green River Road on-ramp meter, and
- Conducting project development for environmental approvals and final design for the addition of a westbound 91 additional lane from the Green River Road on-ramp to the southbound State Route 241 connector, and conducting a traffic and revenue study for the westbound additional lane, with a return to the Commission in fall 2018 with recommendations.
- June 2018 and September 2018: Caltrans conducts two field studies, in which the ramp meter is temporarily turned off at the westbound 91 Green River Road Interchange.
- September 2018: Crews restripe northbound I-15 entrance to 91 Express Lanes
- November–December 2018: Crews restripe westbound 91 at the Riverside/Orange County Line entrance/exit of the 91 Express Lanes. Commission receives report of ramp meter study and opts to keep ramp meter in place and receives results of a traffic and revenue study and cost estimates for the westbound 91 additional lane. Commission votes to continue environmental studies and final design for the westbound 91 additional lane, with direction to return to the Commission at a future date to determine funding options and priorities.
- November 2019: RCTC and agency partners in Orange County and at Caltrans reach agreement on set of high priority improvement projects on Route 91 and Route 241 to reduce traffic congestion, including the 91 Corridor Operations Project.
- April 2020: Commission adopts Environmental Revalidation
- May 2020: RCTC awards construction management contract
- August 2020: RCTC to present construction contract to Commission for approval
- November 2020: Construction began on phase 1
- January 6, 2022: RCTC opens new westbound 91 lane between Green River Rd. and the 241 Toll Road
Environmental Documents
For questions related to the 91 Corridor Operations Project, please email info@rctc.org
Route 60 Truck Lanes
Completed Construction
Status: Completed Construction
Location: Western Riverside County
Type of Project: Highways
Location: State Route 60 between Gilman Springs Road to 1.4 miles west of Jack Rabbit Trail, unincorporated Riverside County
Construction: July 2019 to Summer 2022
Investment: $138.4 Million; $113 Million in Construction Costs
Jobs Created: 2,491
OVERVIEW
RCTC, in partnership with Caltrans, widened a 4.5-mile section of Route 60 from Gilman Springs Road to 1.4 miles west of Jack Rabbit Trail in Riverside County’s Badlands between Moreno Valley and Beaumont. The project was within mountainous terrain with a curving alignment and steep grades. The project was designed to improve safety and efficiency of travel between the Coachella Valley and western Riverside County. Click here to view project videos.
Project features included:
- Constructing an eastbound truck climbing lane
- Constructing a westbound truck descending lane
- Widening shoulders to standard widths – 12-foot exterior shoulders and 11-foot interior shoulders
- Establishing two wildlife crossings and placing wildlife fencing
- Improving motorist sight distance by flattening roadway curves
Project construction will occur from June 2019 to summer 2022. Please see the Construction Updates and the Shifting Gears newsletter below for project progress.
The $113 million construction investment is funded by a combination of state, federal and local sources, including Measure A, the voter-approved half-cent sales tax for transportation improvements in Riverside County.
- Shifting Gears Newsletter — Summer 2022
- Shifting Gears Newsletter — Winter 2022
- Shifting Gears Newsletter — Spring/Summer 2021
- Shifting Gears Newsletter — Winter 2020
- Shifting Gears Newsletter — Summer 2020
- Shifting Gears Newsletter — Winter/Spring 2020
- Shifting Gears Newsletter — October 2019
- Shifting Gears Newsletter — September 2019
- Shifting Gears Newsletter — August 2019
Construction will take place from June 2019 to summer 2022. View the schedule and staging exhibits from open houses held in June 2019.
- June 2014: Caltrans issues the Final Initial Study with Mitigated Negative Declaration/Environmental Assessment with Finding of No Significant Impact.
- October 2015: Caltrans issues the Recirculated Initial Study with Proposed Mitigated Negative Declaration/Environmental Assessment.
- November 2015: Caltrans hosts public hearing for the Recirculated Initial Study with Proposed Mitigated Negative Declaration/Environmental Assessment.
- May 2016: RCTC approves the Environmental Impact Report and is challenged in state court by a group of plaintiffs.
- June 2018: RCTC resolves litigation for project – Click here for more information.
- June 2018: RCTC begins advertising for construction management services.
- October 2018: RCTC begins advertising for construction bids.
- December 2018: RCTC awards contract for construction management services.
- January 2019: RCTC awards construction contract.
- August 2019 – March 2020: Six month westbound lane closure to complete the project one year earlier than originally planned.
- Summer 2022 – Anticipated opening of new lanes.
Photos:
Videos:
Environmental Documents
-
- Initial Study with MND / Environmental Assessment with FONSI, click here.
- Recirculated IS/EA, click here.
- Superseded DED (also referenced as original IS/EA), click here.
For questions related to the 60 Truck Lanes Project, please email info@rctc.org.
Riverside-La Sierra Metrolink Station Improvements
Completed Construction
OVERVIEW
RCTC expanded the Riverside-La Sierra Metrolink Station at 10901 Indiana Avenue. The project added 442 parking spaces, six bus bays, and a signalized access/driveway onto Indiana Avenue. The expansion occurred on an adjacent 4.69-acre vacant lot owned by RCTC and includes Park & Ride facilities northeast of the station.
Construction began in April 2018 and will be complete in October 2018.