Plan ahead if your schedule calls for driving from the Los Angeles and Orange counties to Riverside County on the 91 the weekend of June 9-12. Motorists traveling east on the 91 this weekend will face heavy traffic due to nighttime closures of the eastbound 91 and closures of both the eastbound and westbound 91 Express Lanes as part of the 71/91 Interchange Project in Corona. The eastbound Green River Rd. on-ramp will also be closed at night.

Closures for the upcoming weekend include:

• Nighttime Full Closures
  • Eastbound 91, Green River Rd. to Serfas Club Dr./Auto Center Dr.
    • Saturday, June 10 from 1 a.m. to 7 a.m.
    • Sunday, June 11 from 1 a.m. to 7 a.m.
    • Monday, June 12 from 1 a.m. to 5 a.m.
• Day and Nighttime Weekend Full Closures
  • Eastbound and Westbound 91 Express Lanes in Riverside County
    • Friday, June 9 at 9 p.m. to Monday, June 12 at 5 a.m.
• Nighttime Full Closures
  • Eastbound 91 Green River Rd. On-Ramp
    • Friday, June 9 at 9 p.m. to Saturday, June 10 at 7 a.m.
    • Saturday, June 10 at 9 p.m. to Sunday, June 11 at 7 a.m.
    • Sunday, June 11 at 9 p.m. to Monday, June 12 at 5 a.m.

The southbound 71 connectors to eastbound and westbound 91 will remain open. The eastbound and westbound 91 general purpose lanes will remain open during daytime hours.

The closures are needed to allow crews to safely lift a large support structure from the 91 median and place it into a 15-foot diameter, 160-foot deep, drilled hole. The cage is 14 feet in diameter, 160 feet long, and weighs 232,000 pounds. The hole will be filled with 700 cubic yards of concrete to build the foundation for one of the columns of the 71/91 connector.

Due to the large size of the cage and the amount of concrete to be transported (more than 70 truckloads), the lanes must be closed during this procedure for the safety of motorists. This series of weekend closures are being carefully planned with the community in mind. These weekend closures reduce the need for a full weekend closure of the eastbound 91 that would significantly impact drivers, residents, and businesses.

To reduce the time spent in potentially heavy traffic, drivers should avoid the area and use the 57 to eastbound 60 to the 71. A map of the suggested detour route is available below.

West Corona residents may use Green River Rd. to Palisades Drive to Serfas Club Dr./Auto Center Dr. to enter eastbound 91. Motorists should allow for extra travel time to reach local businesses, which will remain open. Fire, police, and ambulance services will have access for emergency response.

Construction activity is subject to change due to site conditions, weather or other factors. If the work cannot be completed the weekend of June 9-12, it will be rescheduled as soon as possible.

The 71/91 Interchange began construction in February, and the connector is expected to open in 2025. The project will replace the existing single-lane loop connector between eastbound 91 and northbound 71 with a two-lane direct connector. Once completed, the project is intended to improve safety, expand access to other modes of travel, reduce greenhouse gas emissions, and enhance traffic flow. The $137 million investment is providing 1,677 jobs during construction.

To register for construction updates, text 7191interchange to 77222 or sign up through the project webpage, rctc.org/71-91interchange.

The Point: Closures Needed to Remove Bridge Section for Pachappa Underpass

Lots of nighttime closures are planned this week on both eastbound and westbound 91 between Central Avenue and 14^th Street in Riverside, so you may want to allow some extra time to reach your favorite downtown hotspots.

Crews for RCTC’s Pachappa Underpass Project will be using the following closures to safely dismantle beams along the bridge floor and assemble a large crane:

• Up to three lanes will be closed on westbound 91 from 14^th Street to Central Avenue, Monday, June 14 to Thursday, June 17, nightly from 9 p.m. to 5 a.m., and Friday, June 18 at 10 p.m. to Saturday, June 19 at 7 a.m. The westbound 10^th Street on-ramp also will be closed during those hours; drivers may use the 14^th Street on-ramp as a detour.
• Full closure of eastbound 91 from Central Avenue to 14^th Street, Saturday, June 19 at 10 p.m. to Sunday, June 20 at 8 a.m. The eastbound 91 off-ramp to 14^th Street also will be closed from 7 p.m. to 11 a.m. As a detour, motorists may use the Central Avenue off-ramp, head north on Magnolia Avenue/Market Street then use the eastbound 91 on-ramp at 14^th Street to reenter the 91.

RCTC started the $9 million construction project in April 2020 is expects to complete the work this fall. In addition to removing a portion of the overhead railroad bridge, the project includes building a large retaining wall. Scheduled closures are subject to change, based on weather and other factors. The speed limit in the construction zone is 55 mph.

For the latest project construction updates and closures, visit rctc.org/pachappa, email info@rctc.org or follow @therctc on social media.

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The Point: February is the month of love, and RCTC offers a shout-out to its design and construction teams

Candy hearts. Long-stemmed roses. Mushy-squishy Valentine’s Day cards. Rain. Snow. Sunshine. Vaccinations. Construction equipment… February has brought a mixed bag to Riverside County, but as the month draws to a close, RCTC is showing its love to our construction crews and design teams for their continued work on transportation projects across the region.

RCTC is sponsoring more than a dozen projects, which are providing close to 10,000 jobs in western Riverside County. These projects have helped mitigate some of the job losses from the COVID-19 pandemic and have kept construction workers, engineers, land surveyors, inspectors, and office staff busy delivering projects, large and small.

Several construction projects are nearing completion, so watch for announcements of opening dates:

• The 15 Express Lanes through Jurupa Valley, Eastvale, Norco, and Corona are scheduled to open this spring. Crews are testing tolling equipment, training customer service representatives, restriping lanes, and finishing “punch-list” items. Learn more.
• The Metrolink Riverside-Downtown Station Layover Facility is expected to be completed this spring. This project will allow more trains to be housed at the station at the end of each night shift, creating more efficient passenger rail service and increased on-site maintenance.
• The Pachappa Overpass in Riverside should be completed this fall. Crews have been building a retaining wall and removing part of the overhead railroad bridge.

Other projects are continuing full speed ahead, including those in Lake Elsinore, Perris, Corona, and Riverside County’s Badlands:

• Work on the I-15 Railroad Canyon Road Interchange in Lake Elsinore began in May and is forecast to open in late 2022. The project is building auxiliary lanes on I-15 to help drivers enter and exit the highway near Railroad Canyon, adding lanes on Railroad Canyon, and rebuilding ramps.
• In Perris, the first construction phase of the Mid County Parkway, the I-215 Placentia Avenue Interchange, began in August. Crews are adding on- and off-ramps to Placentia Avenue, realigning East Frontage Road, widening the Placentia Avenue overcrossing, and adding lanes to Placentia Avenue between Harvill Avenue and Indian Avenue. The interchange should open in summer 2022.
• The 91 Corridor Operations Project in Corona began in November and is fast-tracked to open by late this year. The project is adding a lane to westbound 91 between the Green River Road on-ramp and the 241 Toll Road to help ease morning traffic congestion.
• Further east, crews are continuing work on the Route 60 Truck Lanes between Beaumont and Moreno Valley. In addition to adding a truck lane in both directions, the project is improving drainage, building wildlife crossings, and greatly expanding the roadway inside and outside shoulders for a safer driving experience. Crews also have been repairing the roadway from winter rainstorms. The new lanes are set to open in 2022.

Construction is right around the corner for the 15/91 Express Lanes Connector in Corona. This project will provide a direct link between the eastbound 91 Express Lanes and northbound 15 Express Lanes, as well as between the southbound 15 Express Lanes and the westbound 91 Express Lanes. Work is set to start this spring, and the connector is scheduled to open by 2023.

Project teams also are working on pre-construction activities and environmental/engineering studies for the 71/91 Interchange, the 15 Corridor Operations Project, the 15 Express Lanes Project Southern Extension, the San Gorgonio Pass-Coachella Valley Rail Project, the Santa Ana River Trail, and the next phase of the Mid County Parkway. Visit rctc.org/projects and register to receive updates using the “Contact Us” forms.

The Point: Watch for full closures of westbound 91 on Friday night and weekend closures at the 15/91 Interchange in Corona  

Thinking about driving to the beach or other points west this weekend? You might want to think twice, due to several closures taking place this weekend for construction activity on the 91 and Interstate 15.

RCTC is continuing to schedule construction closures when traffic is lighter than usual, due to COVID-19 recommendations to stay close to home.

For those who plan to hit the road anyway, please expect significant traffic delays, allow extra travel time, and follow detours. Closures will include:

• Westbound 91: Full closure of all westbound 91 lanes from the 71 to the 241 Toll Road, Friday, January 15 at 11 p.m. to Saturday, January 16 at 5 a.m. Crews will use this closure to safely remove overhead signage for RCTC’s 91 Corridor Operations Project. To support the closure, the westbound 91 Express Lanes in Riverside and Orange counties, the westbound Green River Road on-ramp and off-ramp, and the southbound 71/westbound 91 connector also will be closed. As a detour, motorists can head north on the 71, west on the 60, and south on the 57 to access westbound 91 in Orange County. Learn more by visiting rctc.org/91cop, following @therctc on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram, or calling 833-460-5606.
• Southbound 15: Full closure of the southbound 15 to westbound 91 connector and the southbound Hidden Valley Parkway on-ramp, Friday, January 15 at 9 p.m. to Monday, January 18 at 5 a.m. Crews will use the closures for drainage repairs along the 15 as part of the 15 Express Lanes Project. Lane reductions on southbound 15 between Hidden Valley Parkway and the 15/91 interchange also will be under way throughout the weekend. For details, visit 15project.info, follow @15expresslanes, or call 844-415-9777.

Additional closures are likely the weekend of January 22 for the 15 Express Lanes Project, so please be on the lookout for closure notification.

Please share this information with family, friends, and colleagues.

The Point: Expect delays, allow extra travel time, use alternate routes

With many people staying home due to the recent surge in COVID-19 cases, the Riverside County Transportation Commission has scheduled closures on three construction projects in western Riverside County this weekend.

Good weather and fewer cars on the road during this time create ideal conditions for scheduling this trifecta of highway closures for the Route 60 Truck Lanes Project, the Interstate 15 Railroad Canyon Road Interchange Change, and the 15 Express Lanes Project. Motorists who plan to brave the roadways should expect significant delays, allow extra travel time, and use alternate routes. Work will include:

• A full closure of eastbound lanes on Route 60 through the Badlands area between Beaumont and Moreno Valley: Friday, January 8 at 10 p.m. to Monday, January 11 at 5 a.m. Crews for the Route 60 Truck Lanes Project will be relocating 4.5 miles of temporary concrete barrier from the existing eastbound lanes to shift vehicles to the newly paved median. Once lanes are shifted, crews will be able to safely work on the eastbound lanes and outer shoulder. For information, visit rctc.org/60trucklanes, follow @60trucklanes on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram, or call 866-413-6060.
• A full closure of the southbound I-15 Railroad Canyon Road on-ramp in Lake Elsinore: Friday, January 8 at 8 p.m. to Monday, January 11 at 4 a.m. Crews will be paving the on-ramp and ramp connection to Railroad Canyon Road. The southbound I-15 Railroad Canyon Road off-ramp also will be closed Friday, Saturday, and Sunday nights from 11 p.m. to 7 a.m. Learn more by visiting rctc.org/railroadcanyon, following @railroadcanyon, or calling 877-500-7715.
• A full closure of the southbound I-15 Hidden Valley Parkway on-ramp in Norco: Friday, January 8 at 9 p.m. to Monday, January 11 at 5 a.m. Crews are making drainage repairs along I-15 as part of RCTC’s 15 Express Lanes Project. In addition, the southbound I-15 to westbound 91 connector will be closed Friday, Saturday, and Sunday nights from 9 p.m. to 6 a.m. For details, visit 15project.info, follow @15expresslanes, or call 844-415-9777.

During the past year, RCTC has continued its construction activities across western Riverside County, despite the global pandemic. The agency has eight highway projects under construction, including five that started last year. The projects have created more than 10,000 jobs, helping to offset the economic fallout from COVID-19 and improving the county’s infrastructure, which may lead more businesses to open or relocate to Riverside County.

“As many, many people across Riverside County continue to struggle with unemployment and the reality of this ongoing pandemic, RCTC is helping keep construction workers, engineers, land surveyors, and office personnel employed through these local projects,” said RCTC Chair and Palm Desert Mayor Pro Tem Jan Harnik.

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: 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: Use alternate routes, expect delays, allow extra travel time

The Riverside County Transportation Commission will be conducting partial closures of the 91 Express Lanes and general use lanes for three to four upcoming weekends, starting tonight.

RCTC is upgrading the 91 Express Lanes to comply with new state-mandated transponder technology. RCTC also is restriping the entrance/exit points for the westbound 91 Express Lanes to provide open access at the Riverside County/Orange County Line.

Scheduled closures for the weekend of November 16 include:

• Westbound 91 Express Lanes in Riverside County: Friday at 9 p.m. to Monday at 4 a.m.
• Westbound 91 Express Lanes in Orange County: Friday at 9 p.m. to Sunday at noon
• Eastbound 91 Express Lanes in Riverside County and Orange County: Sunday from 4 a.m. to noon
• Westbound 91 general use lanes, one to three lanes between Route 71 and Route 241: Intermittent closures from Friday at 9 p.m. to Saturday at 7 a.m. and from Saturday at 7 p.m. to Sunday at 10 a.m.

RCTC advises motorists to use alternate routes, expect delays and allow extra travel time throughout the weekend. Closures are subject to change, due to weather and the dynamic nature of construction. Motorists may stay connected via social media @15expresslanes.

Closure dates and times for subsequent weekends are available at 15project.info. No closures will take place during Thanksgiving weekend.

The restriping of the westbound 91 Express Lanes will provide more flexibility for motorists to enter or exit these lanes near the Riverside/Orange County Line. Crews will restripe this area to allow motorists to enter or exit at any point where there is a broken white line.

The new transponder technology will lead to greater interoperability between toll systems, allowing Californians with established accounts to pay for tolls when traveling in Colorado, Washington, Utah and Oregon. The change in technology also will advance longer-term efforts to create interoperability nationwide so that account holders can pay tolls on any participating facility in the country.