Did you miss one of the three I-15 Express Lanes Project Southern Extension public meetings in October? No need to worry. Riverside County residents still have time to view and comment on the Draft Environmental Impact Report and Environmental Assessment (DEIR/EA). The public comment period runs through November 26, 2024. The release of the Draft EIR/EA is a significant milestone for the project, moving the region closer to relieving traffic on this part of the heavily traveled I-15.

The proposed project would extend the I-15 Express Lanes an additional 15.8 miles from El Cerrito Road in Corona through Temescal Valley to State Route 74 (Central Avenue) in Lake Elsinore. The new Express Lanes would not replace any existing lanes. The project includes adding two tolled lanes in each direction within the I-15 median by widening the pavement and bridges. The project would also add southbound I-15 auxiliary lanes between the Nichols Road on-ramp and the SR-74 (Central Avenue) off-ramp and between the SR-74 (Central Avenue) on-ramp and Main Street off-ramp. Construction on the I-15 Express Lanes Project Southern Extension may begin in 2027, depending on funding availability.

To review and comment on the Draft EIR/EA or to view material from the open house public meetings, please visit: rctc.org/15ProjectSouth

In what marks a significant milestone for the Interstate 15 Express Lanes Project Southern Extension, RCTC and Caltrans have released the Draft Environmental Impact Report and Environmental Assessment (EIR/EA) for the public to review and submit comments. The release of the Draft EIR/EA moves the region closer to relieving traffic on this part of the highway subject to project approval upon completion of the environmental process. Due to rapid population growth along the corridor and increased freight movement, traffic congestion continues to make the commute to and from southwest Riverside County difficult. The project aims to provide alternative travel choices and traffic relief to this region.

The 45-day public comment period runs from October 9 to November 26, 2024. RCTC will also be hosting three open house public meetings to provide the public information and to gather feedback from residents on the project.

The proposed project would extend the I-15 Express Lanes an additional 15.8 miles from El Cerrito Road in Corona through Temescal Valley to State Route 74 (Central Avenue) in Lake Elsinore. The project would add two tolled lanes in each direction within the I-15 median by widening the pavement and bridges and would not replace any existing lanes. The project would also add southbound I-15 auxiliary lanes between both the Nichols Road on-ramp and the SR-74 (Central Avenue) off-ramp, and between the SR-74 (Central Avenue) on-ramp and Main Street off-ramp.

Once the entire 15.8-mile length is constructed, the project would provide a reliable tolled travel time option to move motorists through this congested corridor and maintain compatibility with the regional Express Lanes network. The project would also increase opportunities for mass transit, such as RTA Express Buses and carpooling.

Residents are encouraged to review the draft environmental document at rctc.org/15ProjectSouth or at libraries in Corona and Lake Elsinore. Comments may be submitted through the following methods:

• Email: 15ProjectSouth@rctc.org
• By U.S. Mail at:
  Jeff Dietzler, Capital Projects Manager (Tolling)
  Riverside County Transportation Commission
  4080 Lemon Street, Third Floor
  P.O. Box 12008
  Riverside, CA 92501
• Three Open House Public Meetings scheduled from 6 p.m. to 8 p.m. on the dates below; the content will be the same at the three meetings. Spanish interpretation will be provided.

For more information on the 15 Express Project Southern Extension and to sign up for project updates, visit: rctc.org/15ProjectSouth

Extending the I-15 Express Lanes south beyond Cajalco Road in Corona is part of RCTC’s 10-Year Western Riverside County Delivery Plan to deliver traffic relief to the growing communities along the I-15 corridor. With the approval of the Project and Construction Management (PCM) contract to Parsons, the Commission is getting ready to line up contractors and agency agreements to begin construction on the 15 Express Lanes Project Southern Extension (ELPSE) by 2026. 

The 15 ELPSE will construct two express lanes in each direction from Cajalco Road to State Route 74 (Central Ave.) in Lake Elsinore. This 14.5-mile extension of the Riverside County express lanes system is designed to bring much-needed mobility options to the area. Over the past 20 years, the community of Temescal Valley and the cities of Lake Elsinore and Corona have grown tremendously, bringing with it new housing, residents, and increased travel throughout the region.

Once complete, the new express lanes will give motorists an option for a reliable commute between Lake Elsinore, the 60, and Orange County. With additional lanes, congestion relief of the general-purpose lanes is possible, improving traffic operations. The 15 ELPSE will also help improve transit and rideshare options by providing free-flowing lanes to buses and commuters that carpool or vanpool. This cost-effective commute opens possibilities for new routes and employers to incentivize employees to avoid solo car trips. 

The Commission will use an innovative progressive design-build project delivery method to speed up construction. Unlike traditional construction-bid delivery methods, the progressive design-build method will allow RCTC to engage with the design-build contractor earlier, enabling solutions that save funding and help maintain the construction schedule. This progressive design-build approach is vital as the Commission continues to assemble funding for this project. With this process, RCTC will have the option to build and deliver the project in phases. This innovative project method is made possible by the passage of recently approved Senate Bill 617. 

The project is a partnership between RCTC and Caltrans and will be funded with a combination of federal and local sources. Sign up to receive project updates at rctc.org/15expsouth. 

In the blink of a construction eye, the new southbound 15 lane between the Cajalco Road on-ramp in Corona and the Weirick Road off-ramp in Temescal Valley is opening. Exactly two months ago, RCTC announced that crews were placing k-rail and staging equipment to start work. Fast forward to Saturday morning, July 23, and the opening of the new lane!

RCTC’s I-15 Interim Corridor Operations Project added a non-tolled lane next to the right-hand shoulder to help improve traffic flow in this heavily traveled area. To add the lane, crews strengthened the shoulder pavement to handle the extra weight of vehicles and restriped the roadway.

“Finding ways to help improve traffic operations and enhance driver safety brings our communities together,” said RCTC Vice Chair Robert Magee, who also serves as a Lake Elsinore City Council Member. “The I-15 Interim Corridor Operations Project continues RCTC’s efforts to identify and deliver transportation solutions that benefit our residents, our communities, and our economy.”

This project was a collaboration between RCTC, Caltrans, the City of Corona, the County of Riverside, and the California Highway Patrol. The partners discussed ways to improve traffic operations in the area and moved forward with this speedy solution.

The lane will open with temporary signs; crews will be installing permanent signs in the coming days. Please watch for lane closure announcements for the overhead sign installation by following @therctc on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram or by visiting rctc.org/15icop.

RCTC has been on a roll this year to deliver projects. The 91 Corridor Operations Project in Corona opened in January, the I-15 Railroad Canyon Road Interchange in Lake Elsinore opened in April, and the Route 60 Truck Lanes in Riverside County’s Badlands opened in May. RCTC also expects to open the I-215 Placentia Avenue Interchange in Perris this fall.