During its December 10 meeting, the Commission approved more than $156 million in construction contracts for two regionally significant projects: Mid County Parkway Ramona Expressway and SR-60/Potrero Boulevard Interchange – Phase II. These projects aim to enhance roadway safety, improve travel reliability, and support economic growth in two of Riverside County’s fastest growing regions.

“Safe and reliable transportation is the foundation of our daily lives – connecting us to school, work, and the people who matter to us the most,” said Supervisor Karen Spiegel, RCTC Chair and Vice Chair of the Riverside County Board of Supervisors. “The Mid County Parkway Ramona Expressway will address critical safety improvements in one of the most traveled corridors in our region. Phase II of the Potrero Interchange will enhance regional mobility throughout the San Gorgonio Pass. Together, these two projects will a create a safer and more connected Riverside County for us all.”

The Mid County Parkway Ramona Expressway Project will upgrade 8.6 miles of roadway between Rider Street and Warren Road in San Jacinto. Between 2017 and 2022, this heavily traveled corridor experienced numerous collisions resulting in 14 fatalities and 17 severe injuries. The project will address critical safety needs by widening the roadway to two lanes in each direction, adding a raised median, building a wildlife crossing, and constructing a new bridge over the San Jacinto River.

In the San Gorgonio Pass, the City of Beaumont has partnered with RCTC and Caltrans to deliver Phase II of the SR-60/Potrero Boulevard Interchange. The project will build a new interchange at State Route 60, realign Western Knolls Avenue, and widen Potrero Boulevard to six lanes. These enhancements will make it easier to access SR‑60 and support ongoing residential and economic growth in Beaumont and across Riverside County.

Construction for both projects will begin in early 2026. Once completed, these two projects will deliver on RCTC’s commitment to providing vital transportation infrastructure that meets the needs of our region’s rapidly growing communities.

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.

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

The City of Beaumont and RCTC recently announced that RCTC will be taking the lead on two major infrastructure projects designed to improve connectivity in the region: Phase II of the SR-60 / Potrero Boulevard Interchange Project and initial planning and feasibility phase of the I-10 / SR-79 (Beaumont Avenue) Interchange Project. These important infrastructure projects aim to expand regional mobility, improve traffic flow, and enhance safety for thousands of daily commuters who travel through these busy corridors.

The SR-60 / Potrero Boulevard Interchange Project, located between Jack Rabbit Trail and the SR-60 / I-10 junction, will continue with major improvements as part of Phase II that include:

• Widening Potrero Boulevard to six lanes on both sides of SR-60
• Adding two direct on-ramps, two loop on-ramps, and two direct off-ramps
• Realigning Western Knolls Avenue with Potrero Boulevard north of the new interchange

In addition, RCTC, the City of Beaumont, and Caltrans are also collaborating to improve the I-10 / SR-79 (Beaumont Avenue) interchange and nearby roads in Beaumont. This heavily traveled area is a major hub used by local commuters and regional travelers from Riverside, Orange, and Los Angeles counties. The project aims to alleviate traffic congestion, improve traffic flow, and provide a smoother, safer commute for motorists passing through this busy corridor.

“RCTC is proud to take the lead on these projects that will help improve the lives of residents in Beaumont and the surrounding communities, and for commuters traveling through this busy corridor,” said Supervisor Karen Spiegel, Chair of RCTC and Vice-Chair of the Riverside County Board of Supervisors. “The collaboration between RCTC, the City of Beaumont, and Caltrans will help deliver these vital transportation projects to shape the future of travel in Riverside County.”

Construction for the SR-60 / Potrero Interchange Project is anticipated to begin in 2026, pending approval by Caltrans and construction bid advertisement and award by RCTC.

For more information on the Potrero project, visit: www.beaumontca.gov

Born in 1923, Joseph Tavaglione spent much of his life improving Riverside County through his community service for better transportation infrastructure across the region. Joe was appointed by Governor Gray Davis, Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger, Governor Jerry Brown, and Governor Gavin Newson to serve on the California Transportation Commission (CTC) where he was recognized as one of the longest serving members. As a CTC Commissioner, he took a part in approving billions of dollars in funding for transportation infrastructure in the Inland Empire.

On January 22, 2025, family, friends, and community leaders gathered in Riverside to honor the legacy and memory of Joe who passed away on August 1, 2024, at the age of 101. In recognition of his substantial contributions to our region’s transportation system, the California State Legislature officially designated the 60/91/215 interchange as the “Joseph Tavaglione Memorial Interchange.”

The 60/91/215 Interchange project, located at the heart of the Inland Empire, was completed in 2008 and is just one example of his tireless efforts to make sure that transportation projects in the Inland Empire were funded and completed. Joe’s leadership and vision united transportation leaders, elected officials, and community members not just in the Inland Empire but across California to work together to improve the state’s transportation system.

Joe’s leadership ensured our communities received state funding for widening I-215, SR-91, I-15, and SR-60, and constructing the Perris Valley Line, railroad grade separations, interchanges, and active transportation projects across all corners of Riverside County. Joe’s contributions to transportation planning and infrastructure, economic development, and various charitable causes have not only left a lasting impact on Riverside County and the broader southern California region but brought our communities closer together.

With more than a year of construction under its belt, the 71/91 Interchange Project in Corona has undergone a remarkable transformation since breaking ground in January 2023. The project has been a testament to innovation, safety, and collaboration, with a dedicated team of project managers, engineers, and construction crews working tirelessly to bring the project closer to reality.  

During the past year, our hardworking construction crews have poured over 1,400 cubic yards of concrete, excavated over 300,000 cubic yards of dirt along the 91 and 71, set nearly 100 beams across the 91, and installed more than 14,000 linear feet of k-rail throughout the project. Along the edges of the 71, excavated hillsides and an array of equipment including cranes, drill rigs, manlifts, excavators, and bulldozers emphasize the project’s scale, complexity, and accelerated schedule. 

In just the last few months, construction crews installed a massive 160-foot-long rebar steel cage weighing 232,000 pounds in the median of the 91 and poured 700 cubic yards of concrete to build the foundation for one of the columns of the new connector. An intricate web of support structures was then placed to create the falsework structure that currently stands over the eastbound and westbound 91 lanes. Standing over 30-feet tall and consisting of more than 200 steel beams, this support structure allows crews to construct the new overhead connector roadway. A new section of falsework will be installed later this year and will connect to the existing portion above the 91.  

RCTC, in partnership with Caltrans, continues to make tremendous progress into 2024 to ensure this project’s safe delivery. Significant retaining wall installation progress allowed paving operations for new southbound 71 lanes to begin earlier this year. Once concrete paving and new lane striping is complete, preparation for traffic and lanes shift will begin later in the year. 

Once completed, the new non-tolled interchange will not only enhance transportation connectivity, but also improve roadway safety, reduce greenhouse gas emissions, and enhance traffic flow – providing long-lasting benefits to the region and beyond. The new connector is expected to open in 2025. 

For the latest project updates, flyover drone footage, and weekly closure information, follow @7191Interchange on social media or visit https://www.rctc.org/projects/71-91-interchange-project/. 

Improvements may be on the horizon for the Interstate 10 Highland Springs Avenue Interchange at the border of Banning and Beaumont, thanks to RCTC’s award of a contract this month for preliminary engineering and environmental studies.

Highland Springs Avenue is the main connection to multiple housing developments, employment centers, the Sun Lakes Country Club, retail and commercial businesses, and medical centers, such as San Gorgonio Memorial Hospital. This interchange has one of the highest peak traffic volumes per hour and per month on I-10 in Riverside County.

RCTC, in partnership with Caltrans and both cities, will evaluate several design options, including hook ramp alternatives, “diverging diamond interchange” alternatives, and auxiliary lanes to make it easier for drivers to merge on and off I-10 and to improve access for emergency responders.

The diverging diamond interchange concept, which debuted in Manteca, California in 2020 and has been implemented in Colorado, New Mexico, and Washington, has drivers enter from the right side of the road, cross to the left side as they pass through the interchange, and then cross back again to the right side. The “crisscross” pattern helps drivers move steadily through the intersections and creates free left-hand turns for drivers entering and exiting I-10.

The study will look at ways to improve the interchange, on-ramps, off-ramps, and existing local roads, including the closely spaced intersections with Joshua Palmer Way north of I-10, to enhance traffic flow through this heavily congested area. The project also is intended to improve air quality with fewer idling vehicles waiting to enter and exit I-10 and to support access to public transit and a Class II bike lane.

The engineering and environmental phase of work will start this summer and could be completed by summer or fall of 2024. Design would follow, and construction may begin as early as 2026 if RCTC secures project approvals and funding.

A public scoping meeting will be scheduled for later this year to review the studies to be completed and to gather initial feedback from residents, business operators, and other stakeholders in the area.

Funding for the $2.2 million study is provided through Transportation Uniform Mitigation Fees administered by the Western Riverside Council of Governments.

The Point: RCTC awards construction management contract

Improving the heavily congested and operationally deficient 71/91 Interchange in Corona took another step forward with the Riverside County Transportation Commission’s award last month of a construction management contract to Corona-based Falcon Engineering.

The interchange serves as a gateway between Riverside, Orange, and San Bernardino counties and is a vital link for commuters and freight vehicles that use the 91. The interchange reconstruction project is designed to help relieve traffic congestion, increase travel reliability, improve safety, and enhance air quality.

Project team members are finalizing environmental approvals, plans, and permits before advertising for construction bids next spring. Construction is expected to start during the second half of 2022 and take about three years to complete.

Key construction features will include:

• Replacing the existing single-lane loop connector from eastbound 91 to northbound 71 with a new, non-tolled, two-lane, direct connector ramp
• Building a new, separate lane from Green River Road to east of the 71/91 Interchange
• Realigning the eastbound 91 on-ramp from Green River Road to improve access to the interchange
• Reconstructing a bridge crossing the Burlington Northern Santa Fe Railway tracks

Learn more here.

Last December, RCTC received its final piece of funding from the California Transportation Committee — $58.1 million from state gas tax revenue. The project also is funded is part by Measure A, the voter-approved half-cent sales tax for transportation improvements in Riverside County and is expected to provide about 1,500 construction-related jobs.

Public support has been significant, with more than 1,100 motorists and residents backing the project through online campaigns. This support was included in last year’s funding application.

The construction contract is estimated to total $121 million and represents another investment in infrastructure in the Corona area. Other adjacent projects include:

• The 91 Corridor Operations Project, which is adding a new non-tolled westbound lane to the 91 from the Green River Road on-ramp to the 241 Toll Road. Construction started last November and is expected to be open in late 2021.
• The 15/91 Express Lanes Connector, which will link the 15 Express Lanes and the 91 Express Lanes via a tolled connector. Construction began in April. The new connector is anticipated to open in 2023.
• The 15 Corridor Operations Project, which is undergoing environmental studies to add a non-tolled lane to southbound Interstate 15 between Cajalco Road and Weirick Road. Construction is forecast to start in 2023 and the lane could open by 2025.

The Point: Public support will strengthen applications for federal funding

We want to hear from you! The Riverside County Transportation Commission is seeking federal funding for four roadway and transit projects and wants residents and drivers to show their support.

Projects that generate significant backing from the public are more likely to receive Congressionally directed Community Project Funding. Funding applications are being reviewed by congressional offices now, so click here to show your support for any or all of these projects today. Eligible projects include:

– I-10 Highland Springs Avenue Interchange, Banning/Beaumont:
This interchange is the main connection between Interstate 10 and residential, retail, commercial, medical, and employment centers. The project would relieve traffic bottlenecks for motorists and emergency vehicles by reconfiguring lanes to the underpass and adding lanes to the ramps for better access.

– I-15 Corridor Operations Project, Corona/Temescal Valley:
Southbound Interstate 15 is an area of heavy traffic congestion, especially during the busiest afternoon commute hours. Also known as the 15 COP, this project would add a non-tolled lane to southbound I-15 between Cajalco Road in Corona and Weirick Road in Temescal Valley to improve traffic flow and address current and future needs.

– Moreno Valley/March Field Metrolink Station Improvements:
This Metrolink station is located between Riverside and Perris on the 91/Perris Valley Line. Station improvements would encourage use of passenger rail by adding a train platform and upgrading nearby tracks to create more efficient Metrolink service, a better public transit option for commuters, economic development near stations, and improved air quality.

– Smart Freeway Pilot Project, Temecula/Murrieta:
Drivers face daily heavy afternoon traffic congestion on northbound I-15 from the San Diego/Riverside County Line to the 15/215 Interchange in Murrieta. The Smart Freeway Pilot Project would use technology to track roadway conditions, adjust ramp metering, and provide real-time travel information to motorists, helping to improve safety, maintain traffic flow, promote economic efficiencies, and reduce pollution.

Visit rctc.org/support to learn more about each project and show your support.

The Point: New jobs coming, thanks to public support for project

Construction of the 71/91 Interchange in Corona is finally on the way with the last piece of funding approved by the California Transportation Commission on December 2. The Riverside County Transportation Commission applied multiple times for state and federal funding for the project and its persistence paid off with the award of $58.1 million from state gas tax revenue.

The interchange improvement is part of the Riverside County voter-approved Measure A transportation improvement plan, which partially funds the project. The December 2 allocation secures the remaining funds needed to rebuild the interchange and adds about 1,500 construction-related jobs, helping with Riverside County’s economic recovery.

“This funding is long overdue and needed, so this is welcome news for our Riverside County residents,” said RCTC Chair and Wildomar City Council Member Ben J. Benoit. “We look forward to the addition of local construction jobs and the completion of this work, which will help relieve traffic congestion, especially on eastbound 91 during the afternoon commute hours,” he said.

Public support has been significant, with more than 1,000 motorists and residents backing the project through online campaigns. This support was included in the project application, which received the funding nod through a competitive statewide process.

The 71/91 Interchange serves as a gateway between Riverside, Orange and San Bernardino Counties and is a vital link for commuters and freight vehicles that use the 91. Rebuilding the interchange is designed to relieve traffic congestion, increase travel reliability, improve safety, and enhance air quality. Construction is expected to begin in 2022, with the new interchange opening in 2024. Work will include:

• Replacing the existing single-lane loop connector between eastbound 91 and northbound 71 with a new, two-lane, direct connector ramp
• Building a new, separate lane from Green River Road to east of the 71/91 Interchange
• Realigning the eastbound 91 on-ramp from Green River Road to improve access to the interchange

Learn more here.

The CTC also awarded $10.3 million to the McKinley Street railroad/street grade separation project in Corona and $9.4 million to the Limonite Avenue gap closure project in Eastvale. The City of Corona and the City of Eastvale are the sponsors of these projects.

The CTC also approved funding for the San Bernardino County Transportation Authority’s Interstate 15 Corridor Project, which will cross the San Bernardino/Riverside County line to connect with RCTC’s 15 Express Lanes at Cantu-Galleano Ranch Road. RCTC is working with SBCTA on this project to provide a seamless travel experience for express lane customers.