The California Department of Transportation reports it will be responding to highway rain or snow or rock slides as quickly as possible and will be pre-positioning equipment at strategic locations in the valley as a result.
The department asks the public to limit nonessential travel during the peak of storms in affected areas, and to be extremely cautious if travel is necessary. This includes not driving around safety barriers, road closure signs or through flooded areas. As little as one foot of water can sweep a car off the road.
“Caltrans’ priority is the safety of the traveling public and affected communities. We have mobilized all resources and are working with state and local partners to get ready for more severe storms,” Caltrans Director Tony Tavares said. “Please stay off the roads if you can, and always stay alert during difficult conditions.”
When California experienced storms in January and February, Caltrans activated its district emergency operation centers and mobilized more than 4,000 crew members to respond to hundreds of incidents statewide in 12-hour work shifts around the clock.
San Jacinto
Caltrans work continues on the $4 million safety project to construct a median concrete barrier and rumble strips on State Route 79 near San Jacinto. Weather and temperature dependent, the construction times are Monday through Friday, 8 p.m. to 6 a.m. Current work will take place in the median behind the k-rails. Crews will perform trench paving operations.
Work may include sawcutting, breaking existing asphalt and excavating for the installation of a new drainage pipe. CHP will be onsite to assist with traffic safety. The traffic reconfiguration will remain in place throughout the construction to enable all lanes to remain open throughout the project. There will be occasional intermittent lane closures during evenings for construction staging purposes.
Hemet
Caltrans continues work on a $1.3 million safety project on State Route 79 in the City of Hemet. The project will modify and upgrade a traffic signal, reconstruct and upgrade sidewalks, curb ramps and driveways to current Americans with Disabilities Act standards at the intersection of E. Latham Avenue and SR-79.
Crews continue with digging, set up and installation of foundations for signal posts. Temporary pedestrian access will be provided as soon as weather conditions allow. Use caution in and around the construction zone. Hours of operation and potential impacts to commuters and pedestrians will be Monday through Friday from 7 a.m. to 4 p.m.
Lake Elsinore
Caltrans continues work on State Route 74 in Riverside County from the Riverside and Orange county border to Monte Vista Street just west of Lake Elsinore. Crews will perform rebar forming, pouring, excavation and barrier work in various locations throughout the project zone, weather permitting.
There will be daytime one-way closures as contractors perform work from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. The closures will run from The Candy Store at 34950 CA-74 to the Orange County line. Signage indicating closure zones will be placed ahead of the work area. A flagging operation will assist in traffic control.
The closure locations are subject to change. Drivers may experience long waits and delays due to construction operations. Wait for the designated flagging operation to guide you through the closure zone. CHP will be on location and citing any offenders. For up-to-date information and to sign up for commuter alerts, please go to the website https://sr-74-ortega-highway-widening.constantcontactsites.com.
Banning
Caltrans continues work on a $2 million project to rehabilitate existing planting, landscaping, upgrade of irrigation facilities to current water efficient technology and provide erosion control on Interstate 10 at 8th Street in the City of Banning.
Crews continue working on landscaping and irrigation facilities in and near the I-10 from .25 miles west of 8th St. to South San Gorgonio Ave. Weather may affect the work schedule through March 17 from : 6:30 a.m. to 4 p.m. daily. Shoulder and ramp closures on the westbound I-10 at 8th St. and the westbound I-10 SR-243 at 8th St. on and off ramps. Other ramps and shoulders may be intermittently closed, throughout the duration of the project, to ensure the safety of the crew. Caltrans urges motorists to use caution and watch for signage alerting motorists of upcoming construction locations, and remember to reduce your speed in and surrounding the work zone.
Palm Springs
Caltrans continues work on a $5.5 million project to construct and upgrade curb ramps to ADA standards and modify signal and lighting systems on State Route 111 in Palm Springs, weather permitting.
Crews continue work at various locations on SR-111 from Lawrence Crossley Road to West Gateway Drive. A minimum of one lane will be open in each direction at all times through Friday, March 17: 6 a.m. to 2 p.m. Daily north and southbound directions on Gene Autry Trail (SR-111) from E. Waverly Drive to Chia Road’s lane 3 will be closed. Eastbound direction on E. Vista Chino (SR-111) from N. Palm Canyon Dr. to Gene Autry Trail’s lane 2 will be closed. Northbound direction on N. Palm Canyon Dr. (SR-111) from W. Vista Chino Road to Rocket Club Road lane 2 will also close.
