The Point: Send comments by Friday using website or email

Did you miss last week’s meetings? Residents attended three open houses last week to learn about a proposed project to extend the Interstate 15 Express Lanes south to Lake Elsinore. If you couldn’t attend in person, it’s not too late to submit comments through the “Online Meeting” website or by email through Friday, November 22.

The “Online Meeting” at rctc.org/15expsouth includes the same exhibits shown at the open houses and opportunity to submit comments. You also may send comments via email at 15expsouth@dot.ca.gov until November 22.

During the open houses, visitors asked project team members about possible access points for the express lanes, the duration of the engineering and environmental studies, the location of potential noise barriers, current and future toll rates, considering general-purpose lanes as a project alternative, adding lanes along I-15 to address traffic congestion from “lane drops,” and the need to widen bridges and roads adjacent to I-15. Other comments also were received and will be considered as part of the process.

The 30-day public scoping period is required as part of the preliminary engineering and environmental studies that RCTC and Caltrans began this spring for the I-15 Express Lanes Southern Extension. Once draft environmental documents are prepared, the public again will be invited to comment, likely in 2022.

For several years, RCTC has heard from drivers, who are frustrated with growing traffic and are seeking improvements south of Corona in Temescal Valley and Lake Elsinore.  RCTC is moving as quickly as possible on this proposed project to improve traffic congestion and mobility.

The project proposes to add I-15 capacity by extending the 15 Express Lanes, currently under construction, by an additional 14.5 miles, from Cajalco Road in Corona, through Temescal Valley, to State Route 74 (Central Avenue) in Lake Elsinore. RCTC and Caltrans propose adding two tolled express lanes in both directions within the I-15 median to accommodate increasing traffic volumes. No existing lanes would be converted to express lanes.

Visit rctc.org/15expsouth to learn more.

The Point: Public Comments Encouraged, October 21 to November 22

For several years RCTC has heard from frustrated I-15 drivers who are seeking roadway improvements south of Corona in Temescal Valley and Lake Elsinore.  In response, RCTC is moving forward as quickly as possible on a proposed project to offer traffic congestion relief and improved mobility in this area.

RCTC, in partnership with Caltrans, is conducting preliminary engineering and environmental studies for the proposed Interstate 15 Express Lanes Project Southern Extension. RCTC is leading development of the project and is urging public participation.

The proposed project would add capacity to I-15 by extending the 15 Express Lanes, currently under construction, by an additional 14.5 miles, from Cajalco Road in Corona, through Temescal Valley, to State Route 74 (Central Avenue) in Lake Elsinore. RCTC and Caltrans propose adding two tolled express lanes in both directions within the I-15 median to accommodate increasing traffic volumes. No existing lanes would be converted to express lanes.

The agencies will be preparing an Environmental Impact Report and Environmental Assessment to comply with state and federal requirements. As part of this process, a 30-day “public scoping period” will run from October 21 to November 22 to give the public the opportunity to comment on the scope of the project and the environmental studies that will be conducted.

Open houses will be held in Temescal Valley, Corona, and Lake Elsinore as noted below. Although no presentations will be held, the open houses will allow visitors to view exhibits, ask questions of project team members, and submit comments.

Content each night will be the same, so please attend the meeting that is most convenient for you, any time between 6 p.m. and 8 p.m.

• November 12, 2019 – 6 p.m. to 8 p.m.
  Temescal Valley Elementary School, 22950 Claystone Avenue, Corona, CA 92883
• November 13, 2019 – 6 p.m. to 8 p.m.
  Eagle Glen Golf Club, 1800 Eagle Glen Parkway, Corona, CA 92883
• November 14, 2019 – 6 p.m. to 8 p.m.
  Ortega High School, 520 Chaney Street, Lake Elsinore, CA 92530

There also will be an “Online Meeting” with the same exhibits as the in-person meetings and opportunity to submit comments. The Online Meeting will be available from October 21 to November 22.

For more information or to visit the Online Meeting and submit comments, visit rctc.org/15expsouth 

The Point: Public will have opportunities to comment on project studies, alternatives

Preliminary engineering and environmental studies will start this summer for the proposed extension of the 15 Express Lanes between Cajalco Road in Corona and State Route 74 (Central Avenue) in Lake Elsinore. RCTC approved a professional services contract on May 8 to begin this process.

The studies will support an Environmental Impact Statement/Environmental Impact Report. The EIR/EIS will take approximately five years, due to the complexity of the project corridor, which crosses multiple jurisdictions, widens 14 bridges, and may affect numerous waterways.

The proposed project would extend the 15 Express Lanes – currently under construction from State Route 60 to Cajalco Road – an additional 14.5 miles by added two express lanes in both directions within the existing median. RCTC also will study an alternative to add one carpool lane in both directions, as well as a “No Build” alternative.

Overall, the project is intended to:

• Improve traffic operations and travel times for general purpose lane users;

• Expand travel choices with the addition of express lanes and carpooling;

• Increase travel time reliability for all corridor users; and

• Provide travel time savings and travel time certainty for express lane users.

Pending project approvals, RCTC expects to use a design-build approach to expedite project delivery. Construction could start as early as 2025, and the new lanes could open in 2028, if RCTC is able to secure funding. The total project cost is estimated to be $544 million. RCTC will explore federal, state, and local sources, including future toll revenues, for funding.

RCTC will hold open houses this fall to allow the public to provide early feedback about the study alternatives. Please register to receive notice of the open houses and other project updates.

The Point:  RCTC takes first step towards adding lanes to I-15 from Cajalco Rd. to Central Ave., hours after voters uphold state transportation funding

The Riverside County Transportation Commission issued a Request for Qualifications to consulting firms on November 7, 2018 to begin studies for a proposed extension of the Interstate 15 Express Lanes between Cajalco Road in Corona and State Route 74 (Central Avenue) in Lake Elsinore.

In March, the California Transportation Commission approved funding to study the I-15 Express Lanes Project Southern Extension, subject to the new gasoline tax remaining in place. California voters rejected Proposition 6 on November 6, an action that preserves the state transportation funding allocated for this project.

Once selected, the consultant will conduct preliminary engineering and environmental studies to support an Environmental Impact Statement/Environmental Impact Report for the proposed project. The 14.5-mile segment would extend from Corona, through the unincorporated Riverside County community of Temescal Valley, and into Lake Elsinore. The project proposes adding two Express Lanes in both directions within the I-15 median.

The estimated five-year project development process is lengthy, due to the complexity of this section of I-15, which crosses multiple jurisdictions, widens 14 bridges, and may affect numerous waterways.

“This is a great first step in the process of removing the traffic bottlenecks in the Temescal Valley and throughout the 15 corridor,” said Riverside County Supervisor Kevin Jeffries. “Local residents are begging for solutions, and while the project still has a long way to go, this is a nice show of good faith from RCTC and the California Transportation Commission.”

The project would expand Riverside County’s Express Lanes network and provide a new transportation option for motorists in southwestern Riverside County.

After completion of the engineering and environmental studies, RCTC expects to use a design-build approach to expedite project delivery. Construction could start as early as 2025, and the new lanes could open in 2028, if funding is secured.

The total project cost is estimated to be $544 million and is not fully funded. RCTC is exploring federal, state, and local sources, as well as future toll revenues, for funding.

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