With much anticipation from the commuting public, the Riverside County Transportation Commission is excited to announce the new 15/91 Express Lanes Connector opened early November 21, 2023, just in time for the Thanksgiving holiday weekend!

“The 15/91 Express Lanes Connector was a vital missing piece of the 91 Express Lanes Project in Riverside County. With the opening of the connector, a regional link now exists so that our residents can have a reliable trip within and outside our County,” said RCTC Second-Vice Chair and Riverside County Supervisor Karen Spiegel. “Building transportation infrastructure takes time. RCTC completed this project in record time so that our residents can get home faster to be with friends and family,” she said.

The new connector allows for a seamless transition from the eastbound 91 to northbound 15 and southbound 15 to westbound 91 Express Lanes. In addition to the new connector, the project also extended the outside lane on the eastbound 91 through the I-15 interchange to the Promenade overcrossing. With this improvement, the eastbound 91 Express Lanes were extended approximately one-half mile, helping vehicles merge in the area.

“Over the last two years, I have seen the new connector being built by our hard-working crews. Residents along the 15 and the 91 will benefit from having a reliable trip for generations,” said Commissioner Berwin Hanna and Norco City Councilmember. “The 15/91 Express Lanes Connector will help drivers in the northwest get to their businesses and homes promptly while keeping our communities connected,” he said.

The 15/91 Express Lanes Connector is RCTC’s third toll system opening in the past six years, with the first 91 Express Lanes opening in Corona in 2017 and the 15 Express Lanes opening in 2021. Senate Bill 132 (2017) provided $180 million of the $270 million project cost. Toll revenue generated by the 91 Express Lanes covered the remaining $90 million. During construction, the project created more than 2,300 quality construction jobs for our local economy.

To use the lanes and the new connector, be sure you have a properly mounted FasTrak® transponder in your vehicle, linked to a prepaid account. If you don’t have an account, you may open one at riversideexpress.com or by calling 855-951-1500. A FasTrak® transponder issued by any California toll agency will be accepted. Drivers will pay the rate shown for each travel segment when they enter the lanes. Rates will adjust on both the 91 and 15 Express Lanes based on real-time traffic conditions to help maintain free-flowing travel conditions.

In the weeks ahead, RCTC will monitor traffic conditions throughout the toll systems to ensure efficient and smooth operations. All toll systems in Riverside County have switched to dynamic pricing to ensure traffic flows smoothly, resulting in a reliable trip regardless of day and time. Dynamic pricing rates are based on real-time traffic conditions and the congestion level within the toll lanes. Tolls may change as frequently as every three minutes and will be reflected on the Express Lanes signs.

Carpools of three or more per vehicle with an active account and a FasTrak® Flex (switchable) transponder will pay a 50% discounted rate or ride for free for a limited time. If you ride a motorcycle, you may use the lanes for no charge. Drivers of zero-emission vehicles will receive a 15% discount. For more information, please visit riversideexpress.com.

The Point: Drivers will have a new travel option and expanded tolling network

Opening day is this Saturday! The Riverside County Transportation Commission’s 15 Express Lanes will offer a new way to travel, starting April 10.

The new tolled roadway will include two lanes in both directions in the I-15 median and will extend 15 miles between Route 60 in Eastvale/Jurupa Valley and Route 91 in Corona. Multiple entry and exit points are available within the 15 Express Lanes, including at least one in each city along the corridor.

“RCTC is excited to open these new lanes to provide another way to get to work, school, or recreational destinations,” said RCTC Chair and Palm Desert Mayor Pro Tem Jan Harnik. “We know that time is precious, and the express lanes offer convenience and reliable trip times for drivers,” she said.

To use the lanes, be sure you have a properly mounted FasTrak® transponder in your vehicle, linked to a prepaid account. If you don’t have an account, you may open one at riversideexpress.com or by calling 855-951-1500. A FasTrak® transponder issued by any California toll agency will be accepted in the 15 Express Lanes. Drivers will pay the rate shown for each travel segment when they enter the lanes. Rates will adjust to real-time traffic conditions to help maintain free-flowing travel conditions.

Carpools of three or more per vehicle with an active account and a FasTrak® Flex (switchable) transponder will pay a 50% discounted rate or ride for free for a limited time.  If you ride a motorcycle, you may use the lanes for no charge. Drivers of zero-emission vehicles will receive a 15% discount.

To learn everything you wanted to know about the 15 Express Lanes (and more!), check out our Frequently Asked Questions.

RCTC began construction of the $472 million project in April 2018. In addition to the new lanes, the project widened 11 bridges and added six sound walls. Funding was provided by Measure A, the voter-approved half-cent sales tax for transportation improvements in Riverside County, and federal sources. Toll revenue will be used to repay a $152 million federal transportation infrastructure loan and to operate and maintain the lanes. During design and construction, 3,300 jobs were created.

In the weeks ahead, RCTC will monitor traffic conditions and make adjustments to ensure smooth operations, with a close eye on traffic flow along southbound I-15 through south Corona and into Temescal Valley, which currently experiences daily bottlenecks during afternoon peak commute times. When the 15 Express Lanes open, I-15 will narrow to three lanes at Cajalco Road when traveling south.  Environmental and engineering studies are under way now to accelerate the 15 Corridor Operations Project, which will add a non-tolled lane on southbound I-15 from the Cajalco Road on-ramp to the Weirick Road off-ramp. Construction could start in 2023 and the new lane may open in late 2024.

Construction also is set to begin in mid-April on the 15/91 Express Lanes Connector, which will link the eastbound 91 Express Lanes to the northbound 15 Express Lanes and link the southbound 15 Express Lanes to the westbound 91 Express Lanes. The connector is expected to open in 2023.