Several fires on properties under, over and next to freeway and highway bridges earlier this year that temporarily closed the busy highways above have brought some changes to the California Department of Transportation’s “Airspace Lease” program.
Caltrans hopes these changes will help protect the public and the state’s infrastructure and include ending open storage leases, increasing liability insurance coverage, barring the construction of new permanent buildings and prohibiting flammable materials.
Since the November 2023 arson fire under Interstate 10 in Los Angeles, Caltrans and the State Fire Marshal have been thoroughly reviewing the Airspace Lease program, which allows specific areas within state rights-of-way to be leased to tenants. Uses were identified that reduce the risk to the public and infrastructure. The programmatic changes announced recently are in addition to the risk mitigation measures implemented immediately after the I-10 fire as well as those others in February.
Caltrans will continue to work with its current tenants as it implements the program changes. Caltrans is committed to protecting the safety of the traveling public and sustaining the integrity of the highway infrastructure. It will review other recommendations as its assessment of the airspace leasing program continues.
Riverside/San Bernardino
Caltrans construction is taking place in Riverside County and San Bernardino County. In Riverside County, on Routes 10, 15, 60, 62, 91, 111, and 215 at various locations; and in San Bernardino County, on Route 215 in Colton at Iowa Avenue. Daytime work is scheduled from to Friday, November 15, between 7 a.m. and 3 p.m. Commuter access will be maintained. All work is dependent on the contractor receiving proper materials for each job function. It can be changed. or canceled at any time. Those projects include:
Menifee/Murrieta
Caltrans construction will be taking place by ontractors performing work near the City of Menifee and City of Murrieta. Daytime work is scheduled from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m., with shoulder closures in effect. Nighttime work is scheduled from 8 p.m. and 5 a.m. and will require lane reductions. Night work is scheduled to conclude by Saturday morning. Crews are scheduled to work on both the southbound and northbound directions of Interstate 215. The project will 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. It can be changed or canceled at any time. This week, construction crews will focus on several key tasks, including landscaping, rock blanket installation, guardrail installation,and other related activities. Shoulder and lane closures will be in effect on northbound I-215 at the Scott Road Loop Off-Ramp for the rock blanket installation. Nighttime work will include lane reductions on southbound and northbound I-215 within project limits. Additionally, day work will continue on both directions of I-215 between Clinton Keith Road and McCall Boulevard. Commuter access will still remain open, with shoulder closures and lane closures in effect.
Hemet
In Hemet the Winchester Road to Lyon Ave. will see loop installation and striping in progress. Some flagging operations will occur primarily at night. Day work may be needed for various electrical and concrete restoration work. This may require temporary moving lane closures. Radar detection signs will be in place. Expect delays up to 15 minutes.
Paving operations will be in progress from Lyon Ave. to Yale St., Some flagging will be at night. Day work may be needed for striping work. This may require temporary moving lane closures. This will be a layered paving operation which takes several weeks to complete. Daytime paving operations begin Wednesday, Nov. 13 from Yale St. to Fairview Ave. Crews will perform work in EB and WB directions. One through lane will remain open. Crews expected to work in 1-mile segments or less. Drivers should seek alternate routes to avoid delays! Traffic holds may occur for equipment relocation. Daytime paving expected completion by February 2025. Florida Ave. will remain open.
Curb ramp and sidewalk construction continue at different locations throughout the project limits. There could also be some driveway and temporary lane closures at various locations. Pedestrians should also be aware of some sidewalk closures.. Other work throughout the work zone includes electrical and pothole repairs.
When working on driveways: Entry areas with more than one access point will require closing work area driveway(s) and direct traffic to other accessible entry points. This is to keep entry access open at all times. Watch for detour signs! Pedestrians beware of ongoing ADA curb ramp and sidewalk construction. Please follow indicated signage and watch for safety cones to avoid work areas. Loud noise due to daily work operations may occur. Speed limits will be reduced by 10 mph throughout the construction zone.
Aguanga/Anza
There again is no construction scheduled in this area on Hwy 371 or Hwy 79 this week, however Caltrans says to be aware of some other projects including shoulder widening which will be beginning soon in these areas.
Tony Ault can be reached at tault@reedermedia.com.
