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

Since its inception, RCTC’s Measure A Specialized Transit Program has provided thousands of rides and transportation services – such as mileage reimbursement, bus tickets, and travel training – to residents across Riverside County. Whether it’s a trip to the doctor, an after-school program, or simply a trip to the grocery store, the program’s specialized transit providers offer a crucial service for residents who have difficulty using traditional public transit or live where there is no public transit service nearby.

During its February 11, 2026, meeting, the Commission unanimously approved a Measure A Specialized Transit funding award to Kindful Restoration – a nonprofit organization located in the City of Riverside.

“At the heart of the Measure A Specialized Transit Program is our commitment to providing essential transportation services to those who need it most. For many vulnerable populations, this program serves as their only lifeline to get around. We are thrilled to welcome Kindful Restoration to our growing network of service providers, and we are excited to enhance transportation options for western Riverside County,” said Lorelle Moe-Luna, RCTC Multimodal Services Director.

Kindful Restoration assists individuals and families across Riverside County impacted by behavioral health challenges, justice involvement, and socioeconomic hardship to help them achieve stability, independence, and restored dignity. Since 2021, the organization has provided programs and services such as transportation, housing navigation and stability, reentry and justice-involved programs such as peer support, workforce readiness, and mentoring for individuals exiting incarceration or probation.

With the addition of Kindful Restoration, 18 providers now serve western Riverside County as part of the Measure A Specialized Transit Program. Providers are an important part of the public transportation network, offering over 190,000 one-way trips annually.

To learn more about the program and what services are available in your area, please visit: rctc.org/specializedtransit

The Riverside County Transportation Commission (RCTC) continues to make headways in the pursuit of much-needed federal funding for transportation improvements in Riverside County. Four Community Project Funding (CPF) projects totaling $12.5 million have received support from local members of Congress in the Fiscal Year 2025 Appropriations bill. These requests follow RCTC’s recent accomplishment of securing $9.5 million in federal funding. 

Representative Young Kim has championed RCTC’s request for $4 million for the State Route 91 Eastbound Corridor Operations Project (91 ECOP). The 91 ECOP will alleviate traffic congestion along eastbound SR-91 between the 241 Toll Road connector and SR-71 in Corona, especially during peak afternoon commutes between Orange County and Riverside County. 

Senators Alex Padilla and Laphonza Butler have been instrumental in advancing RCTC’s request of $3 million for the Mid County Parkway: Ramona Expressway Project. This project, spanning an 8.6-mile stretch of road in the rapidly growing communities of Perris, San Jacinto, Nuevo, and Lakeview, is a significant step towards enhancing safety and furthering the vision of a multimodal corridor.  

Representative Ken Calvert has requested $3 million for the Interstate 15 Express Lanes Project Southern Extension. The project will extend the existing I-15 Express Lanes south by 14.5 miles between Corona and Lake Elsinore and will significantly improve traffic operations and enhance safety. For residents in the surrounding communities, I-15 is the lifeline connecting them to jobs, education, and regional destinations. Once completed, the project will increase travel choices, allow for commuter buses, and improve travel time reliability.

Representative Mark Takano has advanced RCTC’s $2.5 million request for the Metrolink Double Track Project: Moreno Valley to Perris. The project will upgrade 6.5 miles of existing freight track on the 91/Perris Valley Line between the Moreno Valley/March Field Station and just north of the Perris-Downtown Station. The historic tracks are currently rated for much slower speeds than passenger trains require, and the upgrade would improve the reliability of Metrolink service, increase access to jobs and education, and reduce air pollution in this rapidly expanding area of Riverside County. 

RCTC appreciates the leadership and efforts of Senators Padilla and Butler, as well as Representatives Calvert, Kim, and Takano, to bring federal transportation funding to Riverside County to enhance mobility and quality of life for its residents. 

Finals. Graduation. Job Interviews. As a student, college life can be overwhelming. Looking for a job in the real world can be even more overwhelming and frightening.  But dressing for the job you want doesn’t have to be. RCTC recently partnered with the University of California, Riverside (UCR) to donate clothing for their  R’Professional Career Closet.

The R’Professional Career Closet helps UCR students prepare for their future careers by providing snazzy business dress clothes for interviews, career fairs, and networking events. Students needing business clothing can peruse the closet for the perfect blouse, dress pants, jacket, or blazer at no cost! Students will need to check out their clothes with the student ID and are off to the next step in their careers. The program’s mission is “…to connect, inspire, and empower all UC Riverside students to become the most career-ready talent in the global workplace.”

RCTC staff helped support the next generation of professionals in Riverside County by opening their closets and pulling gently used professional attire for donation to the program.

In addition to decluttering your closet, recycling clothes helps promote environmental sustainability by extending the life of clothing and reducing textile waste. To learn more about UCR’s R’Professional Career Closet, please visit UCR’s Career Center website.

March is Women’s History Month, a time to celebrate the achievements and contributions of women in our society. As an agency with a staff made up of predominately women, 56% to be exact, RCTC understands the value of women in the workplace. These talented individuals working at RCTC and for engineering, planning, and outreach firms, are transforming transportation and leading important conservation efforts in Riverside County.

Women comprised of only 8% of the science, technology, engineering, and math (STEM) workforce in the 1970s. By 2019, that number had climbed to 27%. As more women enter the STEM fields, they can look to RCTC’s elected officials, executives, and project managers for inspiration.