The I-215 serves as a crucial transportation corridor for the Inland Empire, connecting cities such as Riverside, San Bernardino, Murrieta, and Moreno Valley, while facilitating the movement of commuters and goods between major freeways and economic hubs. As the region continues to grow, this vital corridor plays an essential role in reducing congestion and supporting regional development.

One significant infrastructure project that has improved travel along this corridor is the I-215/Van Buren Boulevard Interchange Project, located near the March Air Reserve Base in Moreno Valley. Completed in 2015, the project began construction in 2012 and was a collaborative effort between the Riverside County Transportation Department (RCTD), Caltrans, the March Joint Powers Authority (March JPA), and the Riverside County Transportation Commission (RCTC). The project was designed to accommodate future growth by reconfiguring the previous tight diamond interchange. The enhancements included the addition of new on-ramps, realignment and widening of Van Buren Boulevard, and replacement of existing bridge structures over the railroad and freeway. Additionally, the I-215 was widened between Cactus Avenue and Harley Knox Boulevard, with a minor realignment of the southbound lanes to improve traffic flow.

Further improvements outside the interchange included new traffic signals and streetlights, upgraded lighting at the northbound ramps, auxiliary lanes along the I-215 between Van Buren Boulevard and Cactus Avenue, and acceleration and deceleration lanes south of Van Buren Boulevard.

Visual design elements were integrated into the bridge structures, retaining walls, and surrounding landscaping to reflect the area’s military heritage. Moreover, regional access to the Riverside National Cemetery and March Air Museum was significantly enhanced as a result of the new interchange. The project team was recognized with the American Planning Association’s 2015 IES-APA Urban Design Award for their work in urban planning and design.

Funding for the project came from Measure A, a voter-approved half-cent sales tax measure aimed at transportation improvements in Riverside County, which facilitated its progression to construction. The collaboration among RCTD, Caltrans, March JPA, and RCTC ensured that the interchange meets the transportation needs of the region.

Residents and motorists planning to travel northbound on I-15 from the Rancho California Road loop on-ramp are advised to plan ahead for an extended closure of the ramp. The extended full closure of the Rancho California Road loop on-ramp for northbound I-15 will begin on Thursday, August 14 at 9 p.m. through Monday, August 25 at 5 a.m. The closures are required to allow crews to safely extend a second lane of the on-ramp by several hundred feet and create a safety pocket for emergency vehicles.

While crews are completing work on the ramp, motorists are advised to travel east on Rancho California Road, northbound on Ynez Road, and west on Winchester Road to enter Northbound I-15.

Closure dates are subject to change due to weather, site conditions, construction progress, and other factors.

The work will involve reconfiguring and realigning the ramp to create a merge point between the loop and the direct on-ramps for Rancho California Road.

The Smart Freeway Pilot Project will use ramp meters that work as a coordinated system that adapts to allow more or fewer vehicles to enter I-15 at any given time from the Temecula Parkway, Rancho California Road, and Winchester Road on-ramps. The project is anticipated to improve overall traffic flow and reduce rear-end collisions within the I-15 corridor, without highway expansion and related construction costs and impacts.

For more information about the Smart Freeway Pilot Project and the Temecula Parkway on-ramp closure, visit rctc.org/temeculaclosures 

Residents and motorists planning to travel northbound on I-15 using the Rancho California Road direct on-ramp are advised to plan ahead for an extended closure of the ramp. RCTC will require an extended full closure of the Rancho California Road on-ramp for northbound I-15 beginning on Sunday, July 13 at 9 p.m. through Monday, July 21 at 5 a.m. The closures are required to allow crews to safely extend a second lane of the on-ramp by several hundred feet and create a safety pocket for emergency vehicles.

While crews are completing work on the ramp, motorists are advised to travel west on Rancho California Road, northbound on Jefferson Avenue, and east on Winchester Road to enter Northbound I-15.

Closure dates are subject to change due to weather, site conditions, construction progress, and other factors.

The work will also involve reconfiguring and realigning the ramp to create a merge point between the loop and the direct on-ramps for Rancho California Road. Later this summer, RCTC will require a similar closure of the northbound 15 Rancho California Road loop on-ramp.

The Smart Freeway Pilot Project will use ramp meters that work as a coordinated system that adapts to allow more or fewer vehicles to enter I-15 at any given time from the Temecula Parkway, Rancho California Road, and Winchester Road on-ramps. The project is anticipated to improve overall traffic flow and reduce rear-end collisions within the I-15 corridor, without highway expansion and related construction costs and impacts.

For more information about the Smart Freeway Pilot Project and the Temecula Parkway on-ramp closure, visit: rctc.org/temeculaclosures

Over the past two years, the residents of the Corona, Chino, and Chino Hills communities – and countless travelers on the 71 and 91 – have seen the impressive 71/91 connector take shape. After the recent weekend closure of the eastbound 91 Green River Rd. on-ramp, where crews safely performed a traffic switch to get the new connector and on-ramp ready for vehicles, the new interchange is now open to motorists!

Crews opened the new eastbound 91 to northbound 71 connector to highway traffic on Saturday morning, June 21, and the realigned on-ramp on Monday, June 23.

Construction of the 71/91 Interchange Project began in January 2023. As part of the project, crews built a new eastbound 91 to northbound 71 connector bridge that spans over the 91 and Santa Ana River. This new, two-lane direct connector replaces the old single-lane loop connector. The existing eastbound 91 Green River Rd. on-ramp was also realigned to provide direct access to the new northbound 71 connector and eastbound 91 general purpose lanes. Crews also constructed a new eastbound 91 auxiliary lane for improved access and merging with the new connector.

During construction, crews excavated 400,000 cubic yards of roadway, used over 9 million pounds of rebar, constructed over 4,000 cubic yards of retaining walls, and are expected to pour over 36,000 cubic yards of concrete by the end of the project. The new connector measures an impressive 100 feet in height and 2,500 feet in length.

The new, non-tolled connector is designed to improve safety, expand access to other modes of travel, reduce greenhouse gas emissions, and enhance traffic flow – providing long-lasting benefits to Riverside County residents and the greater southern California region. The project will also support continued movement through this area by native wildlife such as mountain lions, bobcats, and coyotes.

Funding for the $137 million project was provided by federal, state, and local sources, including Measure A; the twice voter-approved sales tax measure for transportation improvements in Riverside County. The delivery of this project further advances RCTC’s goal to improve mobility for the people of Riverside County.

For more information about this project, please visit: rctc.org/71-91interchange

Awards season is upon us! RCTC held the annual Drivers’ Award meeting to celebrate the top Freeway Service Patrol (FSP) drivers of 2023. The awards recognized five drivers who provided exceptional service to stranded motorists on the busiest highways in western Riverside County. The entire team of FSP drivers also received recognition for their daily efforts to help keep commuters moving and traffic flowing.

The Freeway Service Patrol – or FSP – is a partnership between RCTC, the California Highway Patrol, and Caltrans to help stranded motorists with quick roadside assistance. These rapid assists keep motorists safe and allow traffic to keep flowing during peak commute times. From flat tires and dead batteries to overheated engines and empty gas tanks, FSP drivers come to the rescue to make these repairs and more at no charge. If they can’t get you back on the road, they will tow your vehicle to a safer location off the freeway.

Without further ado, here are the FSP drivers who won top honors:

FSP drivers make a substantial impact on the lives of western Riverside County motorists. In 2023 alone, the program helped over 56,000 county motorists that were stalled on local highways. The program was created in 1993 and marked 30 years of service in 2023 – assisting over a million motorists since its inception.

Motorist Alfonso R. shared some kind words about Carlos Castillo, this year’s Top Driver. “Carlos Castillo was incredibly helpful. Extremely safe. And very efficient. Thank you, Carlos, for helping me and my family! The service was amazing!” he said.

Driver of Excellence awardee David Camberos was also praised. Jenna G. said David, “was such a blessing. Saw us on the road and immediately helped. He was very kind, knowledgeable, and provided calmness in our chaos.”

And, of course, the People’s Choice winner, Robert Torres, received his share of praise from the public. Motorist Kayla J. had this to say, “Over the top professional and very helpful, if I were to get help again, I would love for Robert to be the one to help us.” Motorist Daniel T. shared, “Beyond exceptional professionalism, I was back on the road in less than five minutes. Robert was very helpful and had an immediate solution to my situation at hand.”

The Riverside County FSP program is ranked as one of the highest benefit/cost FSP programs across the state, meaning that it provides a lot of bang for the buck. The program is funded by Caltrans and RCTC and operates on the 91, on I-15 between the 60 and the 79, on the 60 from I-15 to Theodore Street, and the full length of I-215.

FSP operates Monday through Friday (except on some holidays) from 6:00 a.m. to 8:30 a.m. for the morning commute and from 1:30 p.m. to 6:00 p.m. for the afternoon commute. Friday afternoon service operates from 11:30 a.m. to 6:00 p.m. FSP also operates mid-day service and weekend service on select beats.

To learn more about this popular program, visit www.rctc.org/fsp.

Get a flat tire, need a battery jump, or did your car overheat? FSP drivers come to the rescue at no charge to make these speedy repairs and more. If they can’t get you back on the road, they will tow your vehicle to a designated CHP location.

Now, without further ado…the envelopes please!
• In the Top Driver Award category, the award goes to Alexandro Alvarado of Coastal PrideTowing.
• In the Driver of Excellence category, John Materne of Pepe’s Towing won top honors.
• Carlos Castillo Jr. of Royal Coaches won top honors in the Driver of Excellence category.
• The Rookie of the Year award went to Manuel Gebara Jr. of Pepe’s Towing.
• And the People’s Choice award was presented to David Camberos of Pepe’s Towing

FSP drivers affect the lives of western Riverside County motorists every day. Sherry W. rated John Materne “an 11 out of 10,” noting that she “had a tire blow out and had pulled over with cars zipping by me. He saw me and pulled up behind me, gave me the brochure and offered to change my tire. He did so quickly and efficiently. I was in a dangerous area and was so thankful.”

The Riverside County FSP program is ranked as one of the highest benefit/cost FSP programs in the state and is funded by Caltrans and RCTC, with additional funding from the Mobile Source Air Pollution Reduction for weekend service. FSP operates Monday through Friday (except on some holidays) from 5:30 a.m. to 8:30 a.m. for the morning commute and from 2:30 p.m. to 6:30 p.m. for the afternoon commute. Friday afternoon service operates from 12:30 p.m. to 6:30 p.m. Midday and weekend service is also available on select highway segments.

FSP in Riverside County operates on the 91, on I-15 between the 60 and the 79, on the 60 from I-15 to Theodore Street, and on the full length of I-215.

For more information about the FSP program, visit www.rctc.org/fsp

The Riverside County projects include:

Coachella Valley-San Gorgonio Rail Corridor Service Project – Caltrans and RCTC propose daily passenger rail service between Los Angeles and the Coachella Valley. The project would be transformational for the region, creating economic opportunity in disadvantaged communities, improving access to job centers and attractions, providing alternatives to traveling on I-10, and reducing emissions to improve air quality. The $50 million request would help fund preliminary engineering along the 76-mile eastern section of track as well as project-level environmental clearance for up to six stations, a new third main track, and associated grade crossings and signal improvements on the eastern end of the corridor.

Interstate 10 Bypass Project – The County of Riverside Transportation Department proposes constructing an Interstate 10 bypass route in Banning and Cabazon. There is a stretch between the City of Banning and the unincorporated community of Cabazon and the Morongo Reservation, in which I-10 is the only road available to motorists. Should this stretch of I-10 ever close, the critical link between western Riverside and San Bernardino counties and the inland desert communities would be severed. The proposed I-10 Bypass Project would mitigate this nightmarish scenario with construction of a new road south of I-10, linking Banning to Cabazon. The $95 million request would fund final design, right of way acquisition, and construction of a two-lane roadway with bridges and grading for a future four-lane facility.

Third Street Grade Separation Project – The City of Riverside proposes reducing public safety risks by redirecting vehicle/pedestrian/bicycle traffic above or below the busy railroad tracks at Third Street. Riverside is trisected by two freight rail lines, Burlington Northern Santa Fe Railway and Union Pacific Railroad. These rail lines carry more than 75% of the freight handled by the Ports of L.A. and Long Beach through Riverside. Every day, approximately 128 trains pass through the city. At-grade crossings pose safety risks, create traffic delays, increase emissions from idling vehicles, and delay emergency response. The $30 million request would allow construction of the project to separate Third Street from the railroad tracks.

15 Express Lanes Project Southern Extension – RCTC proposes extending the 15 Express Lanes by an additional 14.5 miles, from Cajalco Road in Corona, through the Temescal Valley, to Route 74/Central Avenue in Lake Elsinore. Once built, the project would improve traffic operations and travel times, expand travel choice through carpooling and mass transit, increase travel time reliability, and manage long-term traffic congestion spurred by increased goods movement and population growth. The $500 million request would fund final design, right of way acquisition, and construction of the new lanes.

Fullerton Junction to Riverside Triple Track Completion – Metrolink proposes triple tracking the Burlington Northern Santa Fe rail line from Fullerton through Riverside, as part of a suite of upgrades to Metrolink’s system in time for the 2028 Olympics. Not only is this project critical to improved passenger rail service in Riverside County, it also will enhance the movement of freight and goods from the Ports of L.A. and Long Beach to reduce road congestion and associated emissions. The $200 million request would fund project development, include environmental approvals, final design, and construction of segments from the Prado Dam to Riverside.

Click here to read the full IE Caucus letter, which also includes details about requested funding for San Bernardino County projects.

To register your support for securing more funding for Inland Empire projects, please visit our support page.