The Point: Motorists should access northbound I-15 at Grape Street through early April

Progress continues on the I-15 Railroad Canyon Road Interchange Project in Lake Elsinore, with construction crews preparing to open the new northbound I-15 hook on-ramp at Grape Street and temporarily close the existing northbound I-15 on-ramp at Railroad Canyon Road next week. The temporary closure, which will last until approximately early April, will allow crews to rebuild the ramp and widen lanes to 12 feet.

Construction dates are subject to change, based on weather and other factors.

During the closure of the existing on-ramp, which will start on February 21 at 8 p.m., motorists may use the newly constructed hook on-ramp at Grape Street, which will open on February 22 at 5 a.m. Crews will restripe lanes on local streets, adjust traffic signals, and post signs to direct drivers to the new hook ramp using the following traffic pattern; see map below.

• From East Diamond Drive: Head east on Diamond Drive in the far right lane toward Grape Street, turn right onto Grape Street, and turn right onto the northbound I-15 hook on-ramp using the right-turn lane.
• From West Railroad Canyon Road: Head west on Railroad Canyon Rd toward Grape Street, use the left-turn lane at the intersection of Railroad Canyon Road and Grape Street to turn left onto Grape Street, and turn right onto the northbound I-15 hook on-ramp using the right-turn lane.
• From South Summerhill Drive: Head south on Summerhill Dr toward Railroad Canyon Road, continue through the intersection onto Grape Street, and turn right onto the northbound I-15 hook on-ramp using the right-turn lane.
• From North Grape Street: Head north on Grape Street and turn left onto the new northbound I-15 hook on-ramp using the left-turn lane.

During the on-ramp closure, crews also will repave Grape Street and Diamond Drive and reconfigure the traffic signal at the southbound I-15 Railroad Canyon Road on-ramp. Once the ramp reopens, motorists will be able to enter northbound I-15 using either on-ramp.

Project construction began in May 2020. RCTC is the lead agency for the $41 million investment, in partnership with Caltrans and the City of Lake Elsinore. The project is designed to improve safety by adding auxiliary lanes on I-15 to help drivers enter and exit and highway and reduce traffic back-ups. It also is intended to improve traffic flow by adding two new lanes on Railroad Canyon Road, widening the lanes on the on-ramps and off-ramps, and adding the hook on-ramp at Grape Street. New sidewalks and bicycle lanes along Railroad Canyon Road also will promote local access.

For more project information and to register for updates, text RAILROAD to 772-22, visit rctc.org/railroadcanyon, or follow @railroadcanyon on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram.