Built on collaboration and a shared vision, Phase II of the State Route 60 (SR-60)/Potrero Boulevard Interchange Project advances to construction! On April 28, 2026, project partners, elected officials, stakeholders, and community members gathered in the City of Beaumont to break ground to celebrate a project that will improve regional and local traffic flow for motorists traveling through Beaumont and the surrounding communities.

Located between Jack Rabbit Trail and the SR-60/Interstate 10 junction, the project was designed as a key investment in regional infrastructure to improve mobility, safety, and economic growth.

“Projects like the SR-60 Potrero Boulevard Interchange symbolize the strong partnerships RCTC has with our cities and communities to build transportation infrastructure that benefits our growing region,” said Raymond Gregory, Mayor of Cathedral City and Chair of RCTC. “These investments are key to keeping our region moving as our communities continue to grow.”

In 2019, the City of Beaumont completed Phase I and opened the new six-lane Potrero Boulevard overcrossing above SR-60.

Phase II of the project includes:

• Construction of a six-ramp partial cloverleaf interchange at SR 60 and Potrero Boulevard
• Realignment of Western Knolls Avenue
• Widening Potrero Boulevard to six lanes, improving traffic flow and access to SR 60

The new interchange is anticipated to open to travelers in 2028. Construction crews will begin preparing the area near Potrero Boulevard bridge soon and are expected to begin construction on the new interchange in May.

The project was made possible by a mix of state and local sources comprised of the City of Beaumont’s Capital Improvement Plan (CIP), Transportation Uniform Mitigation Fee (TUMF) revenues, and SB1 Trade Corridor Enhancement Program (TCEP) funds.

Throughout the duration of the project, RCTC, the City of Beaumont, and Caltrans are committed to minimizing construction impacts and providing timely updates to the public. Sign up to receive project updates or for additional project information by visiting: www.rctc.org/PotreroInterchange

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

The Point: New Lanes to Improve Safety and Mobility; Lanes Set to Open Summer 2022

It’s a changing landscape along Route 60 in the Riverside County “Badlands.” The Riverside County Transportation Commission began construction of the Route 60 Truck Lanes between Gilman Springs Road and Jack Rabbit Trail in June 2019, and a great deal has changed along this formerly very narrow roadway. The project is now 60% completed, with the new lanes expected to open in summer 2022.

The project is adding a truck lane in both directions to this 4.5-mile section of highway. The new lanes will separate big rigs from passenger vehicles with the new far-right lane dedicated to trucks. In addition, the project is widening the roadway shoulders and adding 18 feet of unpaved exterior shoulders by removing portions of hillside to create a safer drive through this curving corridor.

“This focus of this project is safety,” said RCTC Chair and Palm Desert Mayor Pro Tem Jan Harnik. “With the work that has been completed so far, we already have a wider and safer way to travel between the desert communities and Riverside. It’s been exciting to see how much progress our crews have made so far,” she said.

Crews have paved the new westbound alignment and are preparing to pave the eastbound roadbed. Other ongoing work has included building 123 drainage systems, nearly 2 million cubic yards of dirt, and constructing two large wildlife crossings to provide safe passage for animals beneath Route 60.

The project has had its share of challenges. One westbound lane was fully closed from August 2019 to March 2020 to excavate the steep hillsides. During excavation, sections of slopes were unstable, which required a full closure of westbound Route 60 and a lane closure on eastbound 60 for crews to safely remove giant boulders in October 2019.

More recently, crews have been repairing sections of roadway damaged by winter rains on both the westbound and eastbound lanes. Another challenge has been unsafe drivers who exceed the 55 mile per hour speed limit, despite enhanced traffic enforcement by the San Gorgonio Pass CHP.

Despite the challenges, the project is on schedule to open in summer 2022 to offer a new safer route for travel.

Funding for the $113 construction effort is provided by a combination of federal, state, and local sources, including Measure A, the half-cent sales tax for transportation improvements in Riverside County.

To stay connected to construction news and to see great drone footage, follow @60Truck Lanes on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram or visit rctc.org/60trucklanes. Please direct questions to 60trucklanes@rctc.org or 866-413-6060.

The Point: Closure needed to allow crews to safely shift motorists to new westbound lanes

Thinking about driving through the Badlands in Riverside County the weekend of August 7? You may want to rethink your plans or allow plenty of extra travel time, due to planned closures, August 7-10.

RCTC’s Route 60 Truck Lanes Project will require a full closure of the westbound lanes between Gilman Springs Road in Moreno Valley and the Interstate 10/Route 60 Interchange in Beaumont, from Friday, August 7 at 9 p.m. to Monday, August 10 at 6 a.m. One eastbound lane also will be closed nightly after 9 p.m. and will reopen daily before 7 a.m.

Crews will be shifting motorists onto recently paved westbound lanes and moving k-rail into place to allow work to begin in the Route 60 median. If you must travel that weekend, please expect significant delays, allow extra time, and use Interstate 10 as an alternate route.

Project construction began in June 2019. During the past year, crews have been excavating the steep hillsides to create space to add a truck lane in both directions. So far, crews have excavated a whopping 1.6 million cubic yards of dirt, about 78 percent of the total needed for the project.

During that time, crews also have built drainage systems using 7,000 feet of drainage pipe and are building two 20-foot by 20-foot wildlife crossings.

Paving of the westbound lanes began this June. The 12-inch thick top layer of concrete will cure this week and next week before drivers shift to the new lanes the night of August 7.

The $113 million construction project is expected to be complete in 2022.

For information, visit rctc.org/60trucklanes or follow the project on social media using @60trucklanes

The Point: Crews making good progress, despite winter rains

With a year of construction under their toolbelts, the Riverside County Transportation Commission’s Route 60 Truck Lanes project team is looking ahead to roadway paving.

During the first year, crews focused on excavating the steep hillsides through the Badlands between Moreno Valley and Beaumont, moving nearly 1.5 million cubic yards of dirt within the project limits, about 70 percent of the total to be excavated. From August to March, one westbound lane was fully closed to allow crews to safely excavate the dirt.

Other Year 1 highlights include placing 5,000 feet of pipe for drainage systems and completing the first of three stages to build 20-foot by 20-foot wildlife crossings beneath the roadway.

The work was completed in conjunction with heavy rainstorms last winter that caused roadway damage, requiring ongoing repairs on both eastbound and westbound Route 60. Barring any substantial weather delays, the new lanes are expected to open in 2022.

With the hillsides significantly cut back, there is now space to build the new truck lanes, which will stretch 4.5 miles from Gilman Springs Road to 1.4 miles west of Jack Rabbit Trail. Crews have placed sub-base material for the westbound lanes and are preparing to place hot-mix asphalt and then concrete pavement this summer.

A weekend full closure of westbound Route 60 may occur in July or August to prepare for a traffic shift; please watch for details. Following the traffic shift, work will begin in the highway median, and then later on the eastbound lanes.

The team and the San Gorgonio CHP remind motorists to follow the 55 mph speed limit and to watch for changing conditions.

Stay connected to project updates through social media (@60trucklanes) and sign up for construction updates at rctc.org/60trucklanes.

The Point: Lane closure has provided safe condition for motorists, crews and reduced one year of construction time

Traveling through the Route 60 Badlands in Riverside County will be easier soon, with the reopening of a lane that closed last summer for construction. The Riverside County Transportation Commission will reopen the westbound Route 60 lane between Beaumont and Moreno Valley on the night of March 5, marking a milestone for the Route 60 Truck Lanes Project.

To prepare for the lane reopening, the CHP will be conducting intermittent daytime traffic breaks of 5-10 minutes the week of February 24 to allow crews to move k-rail and equipment. In addition, the nights of February 24-28, westbound Route 60 will be fully closed and one eastbound lane will be closed for crews to check pavement quality, make repairs and reset k-rail. Nighttime lane closures will occur from 9 p.m. to 5 a.m.

RCTC closed the lane August 23 to allow crews to safely excavate thousands of cubic yards of dirt from the hillsides to carve out space to build a truck lane in both directions and widen the inner and outer shoulders.

During the closure, crews excavated 1.3 million cubic yards within the project area. This represents about 60 percent of the total 2.1 million of cubic yards that need to be excavated for the project.

Crews are shifting k-rail and checking pavement quality to prepare for the reopening of the westbound lane on March 5.

The timing will improve traffic flow in time for the April festival season in the Coachella Valley.

Closing the westbound lane created safer conditions for motorists and construction crews and saved overall project time. Originally planned as a 3.5-year project, the lane closure has reduced a year of construction time and should allow the project to be completed in about 2.5 years or in late 2021.

RCTC operated Freeway Service Patrol roving tow trucks to help stranded motorists while the westbound lane has been closed. Tow truck drivers assisted more than 1,600 motorists, including 134 with flat tires, 205 with mechanical problems, 75 with overheated engines, and 74 who ran out of gas.

Learn more about the 60 Truck Lanes Project.

The Point: Closure is needed for safety of motorists, crews   

Weekend travel through the Riverside County Badlands will take longer than usual on October 12 and 13, due to a closure of both westbound lanes and one eastbound lane on Route 60.

The lane closures will take place from the Interstate 10/Route 60 Interchange in Beaumont to Gilman Springs Road in Moreno Valley, Saturday, October 12 at 4 a.m. to Sunday, October 13 at 8 p.m.

Crews will be removing large rocks from the hillside north of the roadway for the Riverside County Transportation Commission’s Route 60 Truck Lanes Project. The rocks could fall onto the roadway during excavation, so the lanes will be closed for the safety of motorists and crews operating machinery.

Drivers should expect significant delays, allow extra time, and avoid the area by using Interstate 10 as an alternate route. Although one lane on eastbound Route 60 will remain open during the weekend, travel likely will be slow-going in this area.

RCTC Chair and County Supervisor Chuck Washington reminded drivers, “Check traffic conditions before you leave home, be alert in our construction zone, and use I-10 as a detour route. While this closure may be inconvenient for weekend travelers, it is for your safety and the safety of our crews.”

RCTC began construction in June to add truck lanes in both directions, widen shoulders, flatten roadway curves and increase the height of the center barrier. The new lanes are expected to open in late 2021

This weekend closure is separate from the Caltrans “60 Swarm,” which is requiring weekend full closures of westbound Route 60 between Riverside and Ontario through November.

Weather and other factors may affect work. Register to receive construction updates by visiting rctc.org/60trucklanes, emailing 60trucklanes@rctc.org, following @60TruckLanes on social media, or calling 866-413-6060. Calls made to the helpline will be returned within one business day.

More information about the weekend closure is available for download from the webpage.

The Point: Single Lane Closure Will Enhance Safety, Speed up Construction Time

Expect significant delays, allow extra time and avoid the area by using Interstate 10 during the upcoming closure of one westbound lane on State Route 60 in Riverside County’s Badlands, starting the night of August 22.

The single lane closure will be in effect 24/7 for approximately six months as part of RCTC’s State Route 60 Truck Lanes Project. The closure will cover the full project area – 4.5 miles from Gilman Springs Road to 1.4 miles west of Jack Rabbit Trail.

Closing the westbound lane will create safer conditions for drivers and construction crews and will save time. Originally planned as a 3.5 year project, the lane closure will save a year of construction time and allow the project to be completed in about 2.5 years.

“This project focuses on safety,” said RCTC Chair and County Supervisor Chuck Washington. “Closing this lane makes sense for us to deliver the project safer and faster. Please check traffic conditions before you leave home, be alert in construction areas, and use I-10 as a detour route,” he said.

During the closure, RCTC will be operating Freeway Service Patrol roving tow trucks to help stranded motorists. Eastbound Route 60 will remain open, but nighttime lane closures will occur.

This six-month westbound single lane closure is separate from the weekend closures that are occurring for the Caltrans “60 Swarm” projects between Riverside and Chino.

RCTC began construction in June to add truck lanes in both directions, widen shoulders, flatten roadway curves and increase the height of the center barrier. The new lanes are expected to open in late 2021.

Weather and other factors may affect the construction and lane closure schedule. Register to receive construction updates by visiting rctc.org/60trucklanes, emailing 60trucklanes@rctc.org, following @60TruckLanes on social media, or calling 866-413-6060. Calls made to the helpline will be returned within one business day.

The Point: 55 mph speed limit is posted for safety of crews, motorists

Slow down! Drivers are speeding through the Route 60 Truck Lanes construction zone in Riverside County’s Badlands, despite the posting of 55 mph speed limit signs.

The Riverside County Transportation Commission, which is building the truck lanes on eastbound and westbound Route 60 between Gilman Springs Road and 1.4 miles west of Jack Rabbit Trail, reminds motorists of the new speed limit and that traffic fines are doubled in construction zones. The California Highway Patrol is increasing patrols in the area, due to the high rate of speed.

“For the safety of our construction crews and other motorists, please follow the speed limit. We want everyone to return home to their families at the end of the day,” RCTC Chair and Riverside County Supervisor Chuck Washington said. “This project is designed to improve safety through the Badlands. We need everyone to be safe during construction, as well as once the project is completed.”

The contractor has installed 55 mph speed limit signs and soon will be installing electronic feedback signs that display the rate of travel. Speeding is occurring in both directions, but more frequently on westbound 60, due to downhill travel.

“The California Highway Patrol will be dedicating resources to this project to ensure motorists maintain safe driving habits during construction,” said California Highway Patrol Commander Captain Mike Alvarez. “The CHP will be conducting aggressive and proactive enforcement to maintain the safety of the construction workers, motorists, and officers assigned to the construction zone.” Any traffic safety concern can be reported to the CHP at SanGorgonioPass@chp.ca.gov.

Drivers also are reminded that a full closure of one westbound lane on Route 60 will take place for approximately six months, starting in late August. Please register to receive construction updates by visiting rctc.org/60trucklanes, emailing 60trucklanes@rctc.org, or following @60TruckLanes on social media.

The Point: Drive carefully, allow extra travel time for intermittent closures on Route 60 in “Badlands”

Heads up! Work started June 10 to widen 4.5 miles of State Route 60 from Gilman Springs Road to 1.4 miles west of Jack Rabbit Trail within the “Badlands” area of unincorporated Riverside County. RCTC is adding truck lanes in both directions and other features to enhance safety and reduce traffic congestion.

Crews are placing fencing and project information signs, including 55 mile-per-hour reduced speed limit signs within the construction zone. Motorists should drive carefully, watch for workers and equipment, allow extra travel time, and note that traffic fines are doubled within the project limits.

Nighttime lane closures are under way to allow crews to remove the center barrier, place construction k-rail, and restripe lanes. Closures are occurring generally between 9 p.m. and 6 a.m. on Monday-Thursday nights, 11 p.m. to 6 a.m. eastbound on Friday nights, and 10 p.m. to 6 a.m. westbound on Friday nights.

From late July to December 2019, one westbound lane on Route 60 will be closed within the project limits.

The lane closure is needed to provide space for construction equipment and to ensure the safety of crews and travelers through the area. RCTC will operate Freeway Service Patrols to aid stranded drivers during the six-month lane closure. Motorists are encouraged to use Interstate 10 as an alternate route.

RCTC hosted open houses on June 5 and June 12 to provide opportunities for community members to talk one-on-one with project team members. To see the open house exhibits, please visit the Project Schedule section of the webpage.

To stay informed of the latest lane closures, please register for Construction Updates by visiting rctc.org/60trucklanes or emailing 60trucklanes@rctc.org, and follow @60TruckLanes on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram.