79 Realignment Project (Segment 3)
Long Term
Status: Pre-Construction
Location: Western Riverside County
Type of Project: Highways
Location: Simpson Road to Newport Road in the unincorporated area of Winchester
Construction: 2025 to 2027
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 transit 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 crossing at Patton Avenue and Patterson Avenue
- Bridge over Salt Creek Channel and Patterson Avenue
- Enhance safety by constructing a 14-foot median buffer, outside shoulders, and accommodations for a future transit 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.
The new 71/91 interchange opened to motorists on Monday, June 23, 2025.
The new, non-tolled, two-lane direct connector replaced the existing single-lane loop connector and the newly realigned eastbound 91 Green River Rd. on-ramp now provides direct access to the new northbound 71 connector and eastbound 91 general purpose lanes.
15/91 Express Transit Connector Project
Long Term
Status: Pre-Construction
Location: 91 between I-15 and Lincoln Avenue in Corona
Type of Project: Rail Station Improvements
Location: 91 between I-15 and Lincoln Avenue in Corona
Investment: Estimated $225 million, depending on the alternative chosen (environmental, design, right-of-way, and construction)
OVERVIEW
The Riverside County Transportation Commission (RCTC), in collaboration with Caltrans, the City of Corona, Riverside Transit Agency, and Metrolink, is proposing the 15/91 Express Transit Connector (ETC) Project which aims to enhance transit connectivity and HOV access between the 91 Express Lanes and the City of Corona, specifically, the Corona-North Main Metrolink Station and the adjacent Corona Transit Station and Park & Ride.
The 15/91 Express Transit Connector would:
- Provide a new and convenient transit connection to the Corona-North Main Metrolink Station for buses that use the 91 Express Lanes
- Create new transfer opportunities between express bus services, regional rail, and local bus routes
- Improve access and connectivity to the Express Lanes for high-occupancy vehicles (HOVs)
- Encourage use of public transit and carpooling and facilitate reductions in vehicle miles traveled
The Corona-North Main Metrolink Station is a major regional transportation hub that includes Metrolink passenger rail service, the Corona Bus Transit Center, and the adjacent Park & Ride. The station is a hub for transit services, given its close proximity to SR-91 and I-15.
Buses and other vehicles that travel in the 91 Express Lanes cannot currently access the station directly or other nearby destinations. The proposed 15/91 ETC would address transit connectivity while also providing new access for HOVs between the 91 Express Lanes.
The initial feasibility study for the proposed project was completed in July 2024, and the project is currently in the Project Study Report-Project Development Support (PSR-PDS) phase. Alternatives currently under consideration range from direct access ramps (DAR) to freeway access openings via re-striping. The preferred alternative will be chosen based on an evaluation of overall benefits, impacts, costs, and stakeholder and community feedback.
Riverside-Downtown Station Improvements Project
Long Term
Status: Project is paused and not currently active
Location: Western Riverside County
Type of Project: Rail Station Improvements
Status: Project is paused and not currently active
Location: Western Riverside County
Type of Project: Rail Station Improvements
Location: Riverside-Downtown Metrolink Station
Complete Environmental: Late 2022
Complete Final Design and Right of Way: Late 2023
Construction: To follow after completion of Final Design and Right-of-Way phases
Investment: $65-80 million
OVERVIEW
The Riverside-Downtown Station Improvements Project is paused and not currently active.
The Riverside County Transportation Commission, in partnership with the Federal Transit Administration and Metrolink, is conducting studies to support an Environmental Impact Report and Environmental Assessment for proposed improvements to the Riverside-Downtown Station.
RCTC and Metrolink are working to improve the transportation network in southern California. Increasing freight train service causes delays to Metrolink service at the Riverside-Downtown Station. Station improvements are needed to avoid conflicts with freight train traffic, reduce delays, and allow for future Metrolink service expansion. The purpose of the project is to expand platform capacity, and improve operations, efficiency, connectivity, and the passenger experience at the station.
The proposed project focuses on improvements primarily on the east side of the station and tracks. The improvements include adding a passenger loading platform and tracks and extending. the pedestrian overpass to access the new platform. Pedestrian access and parking improvements along Howard Avenue are also proposed as part of the project.
Public Comments
RCTC hosted two public hearings for residents to learn more about the proposed project and provide official public comments. A virtual public hearing was held December 15. An in-person public hearing was held December 16. Written public comments were accepted through February 18, 2022 using the following methods:
Email: stationproject@rctc.org
Online: https://bit.ly/RDSComment
U.S Mail: Mr. David Lewis, Capital Projects Manager
Riverside County Transportation Commission
Attn: Riverside-Downtown Station Improvements Project
4080 Lemon Street, 3rd Floor
Riverside, CA 92501
RCTC began the environmental process with the distribution and posting of the Notice of Preparation in January 2020 and a public scoping meeting on February 6, 2020. The team has prepared technical studies on the potential impacts of the proposed project improvements and released the Draft Environmental Impact Report in December 2021.
The Draft Environmental Impact Report and Environmental Assessment have been released to the public. The public comment period will be open for 60 days, and two public hearings will occur in late 2021. The public hearings will be held to ensure all participants have a voice in this process. A court reporter and Spanish speaking interpreters will help staff the public hearing.
The next major milestone will be the public review and comment period of the Draft Environmental Impact Report and Environmental Assessment, released in late 2021. Final design and right of way activities will take place after the environmental document is finalized. The anticipated completion of final design and right of way is late 2023, with construction to follow.
Anticipated Schedule
Dates subject to change.
In January 2020, RCTC posted the Notice of Preparation in the State Clearinghouse and The Press-Enterprise and La Prensa newspapers. A public scoping meeting was held at Lincoln High School in February 2020. The meeting was attended by community members and representatives of the City of Riverside, RCTC, and Metrolink.
RCTC met with multiple project stakeholders to provide information and updates. Presentations were made to the Eastside Neighborhood Forum (March 2020 and April 2021), Greater Riverside Chambers of Commerce, and the Transportation Now Riverside Chapter. Additionally, RCTC and the FTA conducted Section 106 consultation with the State Historic Preservation Office to evaluate potential impacts to historic and cultural resources. Additional public outreach to historic groups was also performed by the project team. RCTC provided another project update to the Eastside Neighborhood Forum in November 2021 before the release of the Draft Environmental Impact Report and Environmental Assessment for public review.
In late 2021, RCTC released the Notice of Availability for the Draft Environmental Impact Report to the State Clearinghouse, The Press-Enterprise, and La Prensa. A 60-day public review and comment period will follow the release of this document. Two public hearings will be held during the public comment period. Once the public comment period is concluded, all comments will be addressed in the Final Environmental Document.
Draft Environmental Documents
Executive Summary
CEQA
NEPA
Appendices
- Appendix A. References
- Appendix B. List of Preparers
- Appendix C. Correspondence
- Appendix D. Environmental Assessment Figures
- Appendix E. Environmental Commitments Record
- Appendix F. CEQA Checklist
- Appendix G. Air Quality and Greenhouse Gas Emissions Technical Report
- Appendix H. Biological Resources Study
- Appendix I. Community Impact Assessment
- Appendix J. Geotechnical Exploration Report
- Appendix K. Energy Analysis Technical Memo
- Appendix L. Historic Resources Report
- Appendix M. Hazardous Waste and Materials Documents
- Appendix N. Noise and Vibration Technical Report
- Appendix O. Paleontological Identification and Evaluation Report
- Appendix P. Draft Relocation Impact Report
- Appendix Q. Draft Individual Section 4(f) Evaluation
- Appendix R. Traffic Impact Analysis
- Appendix S. Visual Impact Assessment
- Appendix T. Hydrology/Hydraulics/Stormwater Quality Technical Memorandum
- Appendix U. Distribution List
- Appendix V. Metrolink Strategic Business Plan
- Appendix W. Project Definition Report
Notice of Availability
The Draft Environmental Impact Report (Draft EIR) and Environmental Assessment (EA) for this project are now available for public review. To view these and all other supplemental documents and provide an official public comment, click here . The 60-day review period of these documents will begin December 3, 2021 and end February 18, 2022. These documents are also available for review in physical form at the following locations:
RCTC Office at 4080 Lemon Street, 3rd Floor, Riverside, CA 92501
City of Riverside – Third Floor/Planning at 3900 Main Street, Riverside, CA 92522
Cesar Chavez Community Center at 2060 University Avenue, Riverside, CA 92507
Public Scoping Meeting Summary
Public Scoping Meeting Exhibits
Community Presentations:
- Scoping Meeting (February 6, 2020)
- Greater Riverside Chambers of Commerce
- Downtown Business Council
- Eastside Neighborhood Forum
- Riverside Transportation Now Chapter
- Riverside Unified School District
- City of Riverside Community Health
- Foundation/Healthy Eating Active Living (HEAL) Zone Program
- Center for Community Action and Environmental Justice and League of United Latin American Citizens 3190
- Greater Riverside Chamber of Commerce
- Downtown Area Neighborhood Alliance
- City of Riverside Cultural Heritage Board
- Old Riverside Foundation
Interstate 15 South Widening
Long Term
Status: Long-Term
Location: Western Riverside County
Type of Project: Highways
Location: Interstate 15 between Route 74 and the Riverside County/San Diego County Line.
Construction: Long Range
OVERVIEW
RCTC, in partnership with Caltrans, proposes to add lanes to Interstate 15 between Route 74 and the Riverside County/San Diego County Line. The project is in the expenditure plan for Measure A, the voter-approved half-cent sales tax measure for transportation improvements in Riverside County. Measure A will fund a portion of the project. However, the expenditure plan assumed 50 percent of all project expenses would be paid for with federal and state transportation funding sources. These sources are currently funded far below historical levels; therefore, until additional funding is available, RCTC cannot proceed with environmental reviews, design, right-of-way acquisition, or construction of the project.
RIVERSIDE COUNTY METROLINK STATION IMPROVEMENTS
Long Term
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.
Coachella Valley-San Gorgonio Pass Rail Corridor Service Project
Long Term
Status: Long Term
Location: Coachella Valley
Type of Project: Rail Corridor
Location: Counties of Los Angeles, Orange, San Bernardino, and Riverside, with proposed future connection to Amtrak’s Tucson-Phoenix-Los Angeles corridor
Type of Project: Passenger Rail
Investment: Tier 1/Program EIS/EIR approximately $7 million. Have secured $23 million in funding toward $60 million Tier 2 EIS/EIR cost. Future design and construction costs to be determined.
OVERVIEW
The Riverside County Transportation Commission certified the Final Tier 1/Program-Level Environmental Impact Statement/Environmental Impact Report in July 2022 for proposed daily intercity passenger rail service between Los Angeles and the Coachella Valley. In coordination with the Federal Railroad Administration and the California Department of Transportation, RCTC is proposing this service as an alternate mode of east-west travel across southern California, connecting the counties of Los Angeles, Orange, San Bernardino, and Riverside.
The service would provide game-changing access to jobs and education centers while reducing vehicle miles traveled and combating climate change and air pollution. In addition, the rail service would significantly expand economic opportunities by opening travel to restaurants, resorts, music festivals, sports facilities, and commercial and retail centers. The nine stations also offer a host of transit-oriented development opportunities. The proposed service would extend approximately 144 miles between Los Angeles and the Coachella Valley with stops in Los Angeles, Orange, San Bernardino, and Riverside counties, including up to six stations on the east end. CV Rail would comprise a substantial segment of Amtrak’s Tucson-Los Angeles corridor. The Tucson-Phoenix-Los Angeles corridor would connect passengers to Amtrak’s Coast Starlight, Pacific Surfliner, Southwest Chief, Sunset Limited, and Texas Eagle routes, broadening travel opportunities nationwide.
With the certification of the Final Tier 1/Program-Level EIS/EIR, RCTC and Caltrans are actively seeking funding for the Tier 2/Project-Level environmental analysis, which will study specific stations and detailed engineering.
The Commission certified the Final Tier 1 Program-Level Environmental Impact Statement/Environmental Impact Report on July 13, 2022. This followed the release of the report on June 9, 2022 and public review of the Draft Tier 1/Program-Level EIS/EIR from May 21 to July 6, 2021.
Station locations, funding, and the timing for the start of construction and service will be identified during the future Tier 2 Project-Level EIS/EIR. RCTC and Caltrans are pursuing funding for this Tier 2 work.
Notice of Availability & Public Hearing Notice
Aviso de disponibilidad y anuncio de reunión pública
Combined FINAL TIER 1/PROGRAM EIS/EIR AND RECORD OF DECISION
Appendix A – Draft Tier 1/Program EIS/EIR
Appendix B – Public Outreach Summary Report
Appendix C – Comments Received on Draft Tier 1/Program EIS/EIR
Appendix D – Response to Comments on the Draft Tier 1/Program EIS/EIR
Appendix E – CEQA Mitigation Monitoring and Reporting Program
RCTC released the draft Tier 1/Program EIS/EIR for public review on May 21, 2021. The public review and comment period was open until July 6, 2021. During the public comment period, RCTC held two public hearings to provide the public an opportunity to weigh in on the document contents. Presentations and video from the three public hearings are available below:
Final Tier 1/Program Level EIS/EIR Public Hearing: Wednesday, July 13, 2022
Video
Public Hearing #1: Tuesday, June 22, 2021
English Presentation
Spanish Presentation
Video
Video en español
Public Hearing #2: Saturday, June 26, 2021
English Presentation
Spanish Presentation
Video
Video en español
Tier 1/Program EIS/EIR
Fact Sheet (Spanish)
Alternatives Analysis Phase (2013-2015)
Resolution Supporting Rail Service
Executive Summary
Final Alternatives Analysis
Final Alternatives Appendices
Public Meeting Presentation
Public Meetings Exhibits
Previous Studies
79 Realignment Project
Long Term
Status: Long-Term
Location: Western Riverside County
Type of Project: Highways
Location: State Route 79, San Jacinto-Hemet areas
Construction: Dependent upon funding
Investment: $1 billion (estimated)
OVERVIEW
The Riverside County Transportation Commission, in partnership with, the County of Riverside and the cities of San Jacinto and Hemet, proposes to build a new 12-mile county expressway from south of Domenigoni Parkway north to Gilman Springs Road with two lanes in each direction. The new expressway is designed to improve safety and connectivity for the growing communities of Winchester, Hemet, San Jacinto, and surrounding areas in Riverside County.
First conceptualized as a state route, the project was later converted to a county facility. The project will be renamed since it will not be part of the state highway system. The project is segmented into three buildable segments that will be constructed in phases and features a dedicated transportation corridor and multipurpose trail. The three segments include:
- Segment 1 – Sanderson to Florida
- Segment 2 – Florida to Simpson
- Segment 3 – Simpson to Newport
Design enhancements will also be considered to bolster the project’s appeal for state and federal grants – these enhancements may include multimodal features like bus rapid transit.
The Environmental Document for the project was approved in December 2016. In August 2025, the Commission awarded a contract for the State Route 79 (SR-79) Realignment Project Innovative Financing Feasibility Study (IFFS) to explore alternative funding and delivery options for the project. Final design and engineering for Segment 3 are anticipated to be completed in 2027.
- 2004: Public scoping meeting held – formal start of environmental process
- 2005: Evaluate and redefine alternatives
- 2008: Conduct required field surveys and prepare technical reports
- 2009-2012: Prepare Draft Environmental Impact Report/ Environmental Impact Statement (EIR/EIS)
- 2013: Circulate Draft EIR/EIS for public review and comment, conduct public hearings and review comments
- 2014: Preparation of Partially Recirculated Draft EIR/Supplemental Draft EIS, identify Preferred Alternative for Project
- 2015: Partially recirculated Draft EIR/Supplemental Draft EIS available for public review and comment
- 2016: Publish Final EIR/EIS, prepare and publish ROD
- 2023: Corridor Analysis Study segmented project into three buildable segments to be constructed in phases
- 2024: Commission approves award of design for Segment 3
- 2025: Commission awards contract for Innovative Financing Feasibility Study (IFFS) to explore alternative funding and delivery options for the project
Environmental Documents
Record of Decision (Aug 2016), click here.
Draft Environmental Documents
- Partially Recirculated Draft EIR/Supplementary Draft EIS
- Draft Environmental Impact Report/Environmental Impact Statement – February 2013
Final Environmental Impact Report/Environmental Impact Statement
Project Notices
The new 71/91 interchange opened to motorists on Monday, June 23, 2025.
The new, non-tolled, two-lane direct connector replaced the existing single-lane loop connector and the newly realigned eastbound 91 Green River Rd. on-ramp now provides direct access to the new northbound 71 connector and eastbound 91 general purpose lanes.
STATE ROUTE 71 CORRIDOR IMPROVEMENT PROJECT
Long Term
Status: Pre-Construction
Location: Western Riverside County
Type of Project: Highways
Location: State Route 71 from State Route 91 to the San Bernardino County Line
Construction: Long Range
OVERVIEW
Widen to three lanes in each direction from SR-91 to the San Bernardino County line.
INTERSTATE 215 NORTH PROJECT
Long Term
Status: Long-Term
Location: Western Riverside County
Type of Project: Highways
Location: Interstate 215 between Nuevo Road in Perris to State Route 60 in Riverside
Construction: Long Range
OVERVIEW
RCTC, in partnership with Caltrans, proposes to widen a 10.75-mile section of Interstate 215 from Nuevo Road in Perris to the 60/215 Interchange in Riverside. One carpool lane is proposed to be added to I-215 in both directions, as well as a westbound auxiliary lane to improve traffic merging onto Route 60. The project is in the expenditure plan for Measure A, the voter-approved half-cent sales tax measure for transportation improvements in Riverside County. Measure A will fund a portion of the project. However, the expenditure plan assumed 50 percent of all project expenses would be paid for with federal and state transportation funding sources. These sources are currently funded far below historical levels; therefore, until additional funding is available, RCTC cannot proceed with environmental reviews, design, right-of-way acquisition, or construction of the project.
10/60 Interchange Project
Long Term
Status: Long-Term
Location: Western Riverside County
Type of Project: Highways
Location: SR-60 and I-10 Interchange
Construction: Long Range
OVERVIEW
RCTC, in partnership with Caltrans, proposes to upgrade the interchange between Interstate 10 and Route 60 in the Beaumont area. The project is in the expenditure plan for Measure A, the voter-approved half-cent sales tax measure for transportation improvements in Riverside County. Measure A will fund a portion of the project. However, the expenditure plan assumed 50 percent of all project expenses would be paid for with federal and state transportation funding sources. These sources are currently funded far below historical levels; therefore, until additional funding is available, RCTC cannot proceed with environmental reviews, design, right-of-way acquisition, or construction of the project.