The Point: Closures Needed to Remove Bridge Section for Pachappa Underpass

Lots of nighttime closures are planned this week on both eastbound and westbound 91 between Central Avenue and 14^th Street in Riverside, so you may want to allow some extra time to reach your favorite downtown hotspots.

Crews for RCTC’s Pachappa Underpass Project will be using the following closures to safely dismantle beams along the bridge floor and assemble a large crane:

• Up to three lanes will be closed on westbound 91 from 14^th Street to Central Avenue, Monday, June 14 to Thursday, June 17, nightly from 9 p.m. to 5 a.m., and Friday, June 18 at 10 p.m. to Saturday, June 19 at 7 a.m. The westbound 10^th Street on-ramp also will be closed during those hours; drivers may use the 14^th Street on-ramp as a detour.
• Full closure of eastbound 91 from Central Avenue to 14^th Street, Saturday, June 19 at 10 p.m. to Sunday, June 20 at 8 a.m. The eastbound 91 off-ramp to 14^th Street also will be closed from 7 p.m. to 11 a.m. As a detour, motorists may use the Central Avenue off-ramp, head north on Magnolia Avenue/Market Street then use the eastbound 91 on-ramp at 14^th Street to reenter the 91.

RCTC started the $9 million construction project in April 2020 is expects to complete the work this fall. In addition to removing a portion of the overhead railroad bridge, the project includes building a large retaining wall. Scheduled closures are subject to change, based on weather and other factors. The speed limit in the construction zone is 55 mph.

For the latest project construction updates and closures, visit rctc.org/pachappa, email info@rctc.org or follow @therctc on social media.

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The Point: February is the month of love, and RCTC offers a shout-out to its design and construction teams

Candy hearts. Long-stemmed roses. Mushy-squishy Valentine’s Day cards. Rain. Snow. Sunshine. Vaccinations. Construction equipment… February has brought a mixed bag to Riverside County, but as the month draws to a close, RCTC is showing its love to our construction crews and design teams for their continued work on transportation projects across the region.

RCTC is sponsoring more than a dozen projects, which are providing close to 10,000 jobs in western Riverside County. These projects have helped mitigate some of the job losses from the COVID-19 pandemic and have kept construction workers, engineers, land surveyors, inspectors, and office staff busy delivering projects, large and small.

Several construction projects are nearing completion, so watch for announcements of opening dates:

• The 15 Express Lanes through Jurupa Valley, Eastvale, Norco, and Corona are scheduled to open this spring. Crews are testing tolling equipment, training customer service representatives, restriping lanes, and finishing “punch-list” items. Learn more.
• The Metrolink Riverside-Downtown Station Layover Facility is expected to be completed this spring. This project will allow more trains to be housed at the station at the end of each night shift, creating more efficient passenger rail service and increased on-site maintenance.
• The Pachappa Overpass in Riverside should be completed this fall. Crews have been building a retaining wall and removing part of the overhead railroad bridge.

Other projects are continuing full speed ahead, including those in Lake Elsinore, Perris, Corona, and Riverside County’s Badlands:

• Work on the I-15 Railroad Canyon Road Interchange in Lake Elsinore began in May and is forecast to open in late 2022. The project is building auxiliary lanes on I-15 to help drivers enter and exit the highway near Railroad Canyon, adding lanes on Railroad Canyon, and rebuilding ramps.
• In Perris, the first construction phase of the Mid County Parkway, the I-215 Placentia Avenue Interchange, began in August. Crews are adding on- 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. The interchange should open in summer 2022.
• The 91 Corridor Operations Project in Corona began in November and is fast-tracked to open by late this year. The project is adding a lane to westbound 91 between the Green River Road on-ramp and the 241 Toll Road to help ease morning traffic congestion.
• Further east, crews are continuing work on the Route 60 Truck Lanes between Beaumont and Moreno Valley. In addition to adding a truck lane in both directions, the project is improving drainage, building wildlife crossings, and greatly expanding the roadway inside and outside shoulders for a safer driving experience. Crews also have been repairing the roadway from winter rainstorms. The new lanes are set to open in 2022.

Construction is right around the corner for the 15/91 Express Lanes Connector in Corona. This project will provide a direct link between the eastbound 91 Express Lanes and northbound 15 Express Lanes, as well as between the southbound 15 Express Lanes and the westbound 91 Express Lanes. Work is set to start this spring, and the connector is scheduled to open by 2023.

Project teams also are working on pre-construction activities and environmental/engineering studies for the 71/91 Interchange, the 15 Corridor Operations Project, the 15 Express Lanes Project Southern Extension, the San Gorgonio Pass-Coachella Valley Rail Project, the Santa Ana River Trail, and the next phase of the Mid County Parkway. Visit rctc.org/projects and register to receive updates using the “Contact Us” forms.

The Point: Watch for full closures of westbound 91 on Friday night and weekend closures at the 15/91 Interchange in Corona  

Thinking about driving to the beach or other points west this weekend? You might want to think twice, due to several closures taking place this weekend for construction activity on the 91 and Interstate 15.

RCTC is continuing to schedule construction closures when traffic is lighter than usual, due to COVID-19 recommendations to stay close to home.

For those who plan to hit the road anyway, please expect significant traffic delays, allow extra travel time, and follow detours. Closures will include:

• Westbound 91: Full closure of all westbound 91 lanes from the 71 to the 241 Toll Road, Friday, January 15 at 11 p.m. to Saturday, January 16 at 5 a.m. Crews will use this closure to safely remove overhead signage for RCTC’s 91 Corridor Operations Project. To support the closure, the westbound 91 Express Lanes in Riverside and Orange counties, the westbound Green River Road on-ramp and off-ramp, and the southbound 71/westbound 91 connector also will be closed. As a detour, motorists can head north on the 71, west on the 60, and south on the 57 to access westbound 91 in Orange County. Learn more by visiting rctc.org/91cop, following @therctc on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram, or calling 833-460-5606.
• Southbound 15: Full closure of the southbound 15 to westbound 91 connector and the southbound Hidden Valley Parkway on-ramp, Friday, January 15 at 9 p.m. to Monday, January 18 at 5 a.m. Crews will use the closures for drainage repairs along the 15 as part of the 15 Express Lanes Project. Lane reductions on southbound 15 between Hidden Valley Parkway and the 15/91 interchange also will be under way throughout the weekend. For details, visit 15project.info, follow @15expresslanes, or call 844-415-9777.

Additional closures are likely the weekend of January 22 for the 15 Express Lanes Project, so please be on the lookout for closure notification.

Please share this information with family, friends, and colleagues.

The Point: Expect delays, allow extra travel time, use alternate routes

With many people staying home due to the recent surge in COVID-19 cases, the Riverside County Transportation Commission has scheduled closures on three construction projects in western Riverside County this weekend.

Good weather and fewer cars on the road during this time create ideal conditions for scheduling this trifecta of highway closures for the Route 60 Truck Lanes Project, the Interstate 15 Railroad Canyon Road Interchange Change, and the 15 Express Lanes Project. Motorists who plan to brave the roadways should expect significant delays, allow extra travel time, and use alternate routes. Work will include:

• A full closure of eastbound lanes on Route 60 through the Badlands area between Beaumont and Moreno Valley: Friday, January 8 at 10 p.m. to Monday, January 11 at 5 a.m. Crews for the Route 60 Truck Lanes Project will be relocating 4.5 miles of temporary concrete barrier from the existing eastbound lanes to shift vehicles to the newly paved median. Once lanes are shifted, crews will be able to safely work on the eastbound lanes and outer shoulder. For information, visit rctc.org/60trucklanes, follow @60trucklanes on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram, or call 866-413-6060.
• A full closure of the southbound I-15 Railroad Canyon Road on-ramp in Lake Elsinore: Friday, January 8 at 8 p.m. to Monday, January 11 at 4 a.m. Crews will be paving the on-ramp and ramp connection to Railroad Canyon Road. The southbound I-15 Railroad Canyon Road off-ramp also will be closed Friday, Saturday, and Sunday nights from 11 p.m. to 7 a.m. Learn more by visiting rctc.org/railroadcanyon, following @railroadcanyon, or calling 877-500-7715.
• A full closure of the southbound I-15 Hidden Valley Parkway on-ramp in Norco: Friday, January 8 at 9 p.m. to Monday, January 11 at 5 a.m. Crews are making drainage repairs along I-15 as part of RCTC’s 15 Express Lanes Project. In addition, the southbound I-15 to westbound 91 connector will be closed Friday, Saturday, and Sunday nights from 9 p.m. to 6 a.m. For details, visit 15project.info, follow @15expresslanes, or call 844-415-9777.

During the past year, RCTC has continued its construction activities across western Riverside County, despite the global pandemic. The agency has eight highway projects under construction, including five that started last year. The projects have created more than 10,000 jobs, helping to offset the economic fallout from COVID-19 and improving the county’s infrastructure, which may lead more businesses to open or relocate to Riverside County.

“As many, many people across Riverside County continue to struggle with unemployment and the reality of this ongoing pandemic, RCTC is helping keep construction workers, engineers, land surveyors, and office personnel employed through these local projects,” said RCTC Chair and Palm Desert Mayor Pro Tem Jan Harnik.

The Point: Project is on schedule to open in 2022

Providing new paving, wildlife crossings, drainage, and enhanced safety are all in a day’s work for RCTC’s Route 60 Truck Lanes Project, which remains under construction in the Riverside County Badlands between Moreno Valley and Beaumont. Construction began in June 2019, and work is nearly 50 percent complete, with the new lanes expected to open in 2022.

The $113 million construction effort adds an eastbound truck climbing lane, a westbound truck descending lane, significantly wider shoulders, a concrete median barrier, enhanced drainage, and large structures for wildlife to cross beneath Route 60. Designed to improve safety and traffic congestion, the 4.5-mile project area extends from Gilman Springs Road to 1.4 miles west of Jack Rabbit Trail.

Last summer, crews paved a portion of the new westbound lanes and shifted vehicles to the new lanes to allow work to start in the median of Route 60. Median paving is scheduled to start after Thanksgiving. The westbound Gilman Springs Road off-ramp likely will be closed through December 11 during this paving work.

In January, a weekend full closure of both eastbound lanes on Route 60 will take place to shift the eastbound travel lanes to the newly constructed lanes and allow work to occur on the eastbound lanes and outside shoulder. Construction of a half-mile long retaining wall also will begin in 2021.

Two large wildlife crossings are now about two-thirds complete. The 20-foot tall crossings will provide safe passage for coyotes, mountain lions, and other animals beneath the roadway.  The height of the crossings will allow daylight to enter the structures, making it more likely for the animals to use them.

Work on drainage systems continues. Crews have placed more than 7,000 feet of drainage pipe to carry water from one side of the roadway to the other and prevent ponding in the lanes.  A total of 123 drainage systems are under construction as part of the project.

Throughout construction, safety remains RCTC’s highest priority. The project team works closely with the California Highway Patrol to enforce the 55 mph speed limit, places speed detection devices on the outer shoulders, and issues ongoing safety reminders through videos and social media posts. During a speed limit enforcement campaign in September, officers issued 177 citations to speeding drivers.

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The Point: Speed limit is 55 mph

Sheesh – slow down! If you speed in the Route 60 Truck Lanes construction zone between Beaumont and Moreno Valley, there’s a good chance of seeing flashing red and blue lights in your rearview mirror, due to newly enhanced California Highway Patrol enforcement in this area.

The CHP San Gorgonio Pass Office is dedicating additional resources for speed enforcement to enhance the safety of motorists and RCTC’s construction crews. In the first two weeks of the enhanced enforcement effort, officers gave 177 citations and two verbal warnings to motorists who were putting the pedal to the metal. The speed limit in the construction zone is 55 mph.

“The San Gorgonio Pass California Highway Patrol consistently strives to maintain motorist safety and reduce injuries and deaths that occur within our jurisdiction,” said Captain Mike Alvarez, Commander of the San Gorgonio Pass CHP office. “The Route 60 Truck Lanes Project will greatly improve our transportation infrastructure, and we are committed to maintaining the safety of our community throughout the duration of the project,” Alvarez said. “As always, we are proud to partner with the Riverside County Transportation Commission to accomplish this goal through strategic collaboration and enhanced enforcement and education.”

The CHP and RCTC began seeing an uptick in speeding and collisions after RCTC shifted vehicles to the newly paved westbound lanes on August 9. In the weeks following this traffic shift, 13 collisions occurred in the project area – 11 in the westbound lanes and two in the eastbound lanes – primarily due to excessive speed. Of these collisions, two vehicles rolled over the median barrier where crews were working.

The agencies recognized the growing problem and met to discuss ways to improve safety using the CHP’s Triple-E approach – engineering, education, and enforcement.

RCTC flattened the outer shoulder slope and added two feet of asphalt paving to the shoulder for motorists who may drift off the road and created cutout areas for CHP units to safely pull over motorists. The CHP also will be adding speed detection signs to educate motorists of their travel speeds.

“This is a safety project, and it is essential that drivers slow down,” said RCTC Chair and Wildomar City Council Member Ben J. Benoit. “Speeding drivers and rollover incidents are placing our crews at risk and causing danger on the road,” he said. “Don’t risk your lives and the lives of others just to save a few minutes of time.”

Crews are continuing construction of the Route 60 Truck Lanes, with a focus on work in the median. The project, which is adding truck lanes in both directions, wider shoulders and medians, and wildlife crossings, is about 42 percent complete and is expected to open in 2022.

The Point: Slow down and keep our construction crews safe

With fewer people on the road due to stay-at-home orders, some drivers are putting the pedal to the metal on Riverside County highways, placing construction crews and other motorists in danger.

The California Highway Patrol reported an 87 percent increase statewide in motorists cited for traveling more than 100 miles per hour between mid-March and mid-April.

On April 17, a driver entered the I-15 Express Lanes Project construction site faster than 100 mph, narrowly missing construction crew members and causing considerable damage to work on the Santa Ana River Bridge.

To encourage drivers to slow down, the Riverside County Transportation Commission is working with Caltrans and the CHP to implement a construction zone safety campaign. Earlier this month, RCTC funded an additional CHP officer to patrol the construction zone for the 15 Project. During the first three weeks, one motorist received a citation for exceeding 100 mph and 124 motorists were cited for traveling faster than 65 mph. Traffic fines are doubled in construction zones.

RCTC also hosted a virtual news conference last week with Commission Chair Ben Benoit, San Gorgonio Pass CHP Commander Mike Alvarez, and Caltrans District Director Mike Beauchamp, who all urged motorists to reduce their speeds, especially within construction zones signed for 55 mph.

“Construction is continuing on our RCTC projects, including the I-15 Express Lanes in Jurupa Valley, Eastvale, Norco and Corona, the Route 60 Truck Lanes between Moreno Valley and Beaumont, and the Pachappa Underpass in Riverside.

Soon we will be starting work on the I-15 Railroad Canyon Road Interchange in Lake Elsinore,” Benoit said. “Everyone, please slow down. Our crews are out there. Help keep them safe.”

RCTC also has placed billboard messages, developed videos, and posting on social media to remind drivers that less traffic is no license to speed.

The Point: Keeping workers and the public safe is RCTC’s top priority

Public safety continues to be the Riverside County Transportation Commission’s top priority. Our infrastructure projects are part of the supply chain that moves goods and workers across our region. We appreciate the men and women who are designing and building our projects and keeping them safe and the public safe are of critical importance.

COVID-19 cases are increasing, and Riverside County residents are experiencing layoffs and furloughs. Residents may be wondering why transportation projects remain under construction during this time. Under the Governor’s Executive Order, employees who support construction, operation, inspection, and maintenance of construction sites and projects are designated as part of California’s essential workforce and will continue working.

Our Commission, which is governed by elected representatives from the Riverside County Board of Supervisors and each of our 28 cities, is implementing multiple safe workplace practices.

Construction crews for our Route 60 Truck Lanes and I-15 Express Lanes have received intensive training and took part in an event today led by the Association of General Contractors (AGC) to reiterate ways to minimize exposure risk to COVID-19. Safe practices include:

• Social distancing
• Zero-tolerance policy for working when ill
• Minimizing exposure between crews
• Wearing personal protective equipment and ensuring hygienic use
• Proper hygiene among crew members
• Appropriate personal protective equipment
• No sharing of tools; disinfecting work areas with approved cleaners
• Changing clothes after leaving the job site and before arriving home and washing work clothes properly

RCTC will continue to adhere to safe workplace standards and will make adjustments as needed. Thank you to our staff, contractors, and subcontractors who are making our work sites safe and building the infrastructure relied upon by our economy.