More state highway safety bills being signed
Last month on September 11, six people died and four were hospitalized including some children at the intersection of Bridge Street and Gilman Springs Road, a highway between San Jacinto and Highway 60 in Moreno Valley.
Despite efforts to place reflective paddle boards, a traffic signal and other preventative measures on this highway, some drivers still insist on driving much too fast and make dangerous traffic moves on narrow and winding highways. Such was the case in this very tragic accident on Gilman Springs Road which could have been avoided when a driver at a fast speed tried to pass on the right side of traffic slowing ahead.
Although this arterial highway is not considered a state highway, it has been seen as one of the most dangerous in Riverside County and work is ongoing on that highway to straighten it out and make it safer, but drivers must obey the speed limits on it, as it is becoming more and more traveled.
California has seen 4,000 people die on those streets and roads. As a result, more state laws have been addressing such problems and how they can be reduced and make them safer. One of those recent bills, SB960, while it only addresses state highways, was written by Sen. Scott Wiener (D-San Francisco) and signed by Governor Newsom.
SB960 requires the state to accelerate the buildout of projects like protected bike lanes and sidewalks that help people walk, roll, or ride a bike on state-owned roads that often serve as main streets like Florida Avenue in Hemet, Winchester Road in Murrieta and Temecula, and Newport Road in Menifee. Some improvements are taking place on those highways by the California Department of Transportation, Riverside County Transportation Commission and city and county departments themselves with Transportation Uniform Mitigation Fees (TUMF Projects).
SB960 will require the state to develop a transit priority policy and expedite the approval of local transit priority projects like those in southwest Riverside County. This will get buses out of traffic, making riding the bus more reliable and convenient. Metro and Riverside Transit Authority will hopefully gain some of these new state investments.
But, the higher speed allowed on the newer California highways will still remain one of the main factors in fatal and injury traffic accidents in the area.
Menifee and Murrieta
Caltrans-contracted construction crews will be in the Menifee and Murrieta area along Interstate 215 in both directions.
The project aims to improve road surface, update shoulder rumble strips, enhance culverts, upgrade guardrails, stabilize slopes, and boost highway worker safety along the stretch near Murrieta, from 1 mile north of Clinton Keith Road to 1 mile north of Newport Road in Menifee. All work is dependent on the contractor receiving proper materials for each job function. It can be changed or canceled at any time.
Daytime work will take place between 8 a.m. and 4 p.m., with shoulder closures in place. Nighttime work will take place from 8 p.m. to 5 a.m. While nighttime work may restrict access for commuters, daytime access will remain open throughout the project.
Menifee’s Holland Road Project continues over the I-215 to help ease the growing traffic on Newport Road. Only Holland Road on the east east to Antelope Road on the west is closed until the project is completed hopefully in the next 30 to 60 days outside of electrical, landscaping and side of the road work that will continue.
Temecula
The Temecula I-15/French Valley parkway Improvements Project Phase II continues on the east side along the northbound I-15 that will remain within the next one to two years which includes a flyway over the freeway onto Murrieta Hot Springs Road to the west. Temporary freeway lanes have been installed to provide for continuing traffic from the I-15 to Interstate 215 in Murrieta. Morning and evening traffic delays can still be expected due the heavy commuter traffic coming from San Diego north to Riverside and Los Angeles. Slow down and be extremely careful in those congested areas and watch for high speed white lined motorcycle rider traffic that can be dangerous.
Hemet
Caltrans crews continue work day and night along Florida Ave. (CA-74) from Warren Road in west Hemet to Valle Vista in the east with paving operations underway and the finishing of curbing and sidewalks. The highway still remains open with occasional one-lane closures. Flagging operations will primarily take place at night. Radar detection signs will be in place. Expect delays of up to 15 minutes. There will be intermittent, short-term closures for equipment relocation and construction staging. Work timelines are subject to change depending on weather and material availability. Other work throughout the zone includes electrical and pothole repairs.
Mountain Center
There is good news on Highway 74 leading up to Mountain Center from Valle Vista: the historic Strawberry Bridge work is almost complete. The temporary traffic signal has been removed, eliminating delays, and concrete barriers are in place on the side of the newly constructed bridge, enhancing safety on the widened roadway. Motorists are still urged to drive carefully on the winding mountain highway.
Lake Elsinore
Caltrans restarted work on State Route 74 (SR-74) from Riverside County to the Orange County border beginning from Monte Vista Street just west of Lake Elsinore following the Airport Fire. Nightly flagging operations may occur Monday through Friday from 8 p.m. to 5 a.m. Through access will remain, but delays are expected in both directions of traffic. Please adhere to all signage and slow your speed in the construction zone. Work will be occurring at various locations from County Line to the Candy Store location. Be advised, you will experience long waits and delays due to construction operations.
Please wait for the designated pilot to guide you through current construction zones. Please obey all posted signs and traffic instructions as CHP will be on location and citing any offenders. This is an active construction zone. The contractor may be changing locations, which will affect the time of travel through the construction zone. It is advised to use an alternate route to avoid delays such as SR-91, I-15, and I-5. Remember to reduce your speed in and surrounding the work zone.
San Jacinto
Riverside County Transportation crews may still have work taking place at night on Gilman Springs Road, running between San Jacinto and Moreno Valley from the Bridge Street signal west to Alessandro. More work may take place in the coming days. Slow down and obey the speed limits on that road. The California Highway Patrol will definitely be in the area to cite violators.
Aguanga and Anza
No scheduled work in this area this week.
Tony Ault can be reached at tault@reedermedia.com.
