With the 2024 Christmas, Hanukkah, Kwanza and New Year holidays passed the California Department of Transportation, Riverside County Transportation Commission, and Southwest County cities workers and public works employees will be resuming their many highway and street improvement projects.
On local city streets, much of the attention will be focused on repairing the potholes left as a result of the heavy holiday traffic. Caltrans will be focused on resuming the freeway projects taking place in Perris, Lake Elsinore, Sun City, Menifee, and Murrieta. Temecula will be working to finish up the huge $138 million French Valley Parkway Phase 2 project by late spring.
The joint Caltrans/RCTC project on the westbound 15/01 will be resuming.
While most of these projects won’t go into full swing until Monday, January 6 preparations will begin with heavy equipment moving into the areas. After that motorists can expect the following conditions to take place.
Temecula
The City of Temecula the I-15 Winchester Road onramps will be closed beginning January 12 one at a time for about 30 days each. This will be a part of the concluding French Valley Parkway Phase 2 project needed to ensure a smoother traffic flow onto both the I-15 and I-215. The first ramp to be closed will be for motorists driving west on Winchester Road on the northbound I-15. After that, the northbound ramp will be closed coming in from Jefferson Ave.
Once the French Valley Phase 2 project is completed the city will be continuing with the French Valley Parkway Phase 3 project taking place between Jefferson Ave, and Ynez Street including the bridge overcrossing on I-15 connecting the onramps to the northbound collector, distributor system constructed in Phase 2.
The Phase 2 and 3 improvements will alleviate congestion at the Winchester Road interchange by providing alternative connections to and from the freeway. The city hopes it will allow drivers to connect with the northbound I-15.I-215 using a new C/D system.
To keep updated on these projects contact the Temecula Project Manager at 951-693-3969 or see www.TemeculaCA,giv/FVP2.
Hemet
Caltrans will be resuming its work on the 11.2-mile Florida Ave. (Highway 74) corridor improvement project to enhance the safety and accessibility for all motorists in that corridor stretching from the I-215 in Menifee to the mountain communities of Mountain Center and Idyllwild and the desert cities.
Motorists on Florida Ave. should expect heavy equipment pouring asphalt to striping machines working on the highway from Warren Road to Mountain Ave. in Valle Vista. Most of the sidewalk, driveway, and ADA improvements have been completed. Watch for coned-off lanes and flagmen at different locations.
Perris
Caltrans construction contractors will begin the $27.5 million project in the Perris area to refurbish existing roads with new pavement, enhance safety, and improve accessibility on Interstate 215.
Crews will be working along both the northbound and southbound I-215 between the San Jacinto River Bridge and Ramona Expressway in Perris. Commuter access will remain open throughout the period. The daytime work on I-215 will take place at various locations along the northbound and southbound lanes within the project limits, including landscaping at Nuevo Road. There will be no lane closures. The project is anticipated to be completed in Fall 2026. The work will involve rehabilitating the pavement and upgrading facilities to comply with ADA standards. It will also include upgrading the guardrail and enhancing highway worker safety, as well as installing slope stabilization and erosion control measures. Commuter access will be maintained throughout the duration of the project.
Corona
Caltrans westbound Highway 91 full nighttime closures begin January 6. With the upcoming planned closure motorists are highly encouraged to avoid the westbound 91 by using the northbound 71 to westbound 60 to southbound 57 to get around the closure.
These westbound 91 full closures will allow crews to safely continue removing support structures from the newly constructed sections of the new connector over westbound 91 lanes. Crews will be removing more than 40 beams that span above the westbound 91, requiring precision and time.
These closures will allow crews to safely continue removing support structures from the newly constructed sections of the new connector over westbound 91 lanes. Crews will be removing more than 40 beams that span above the westbound 91, requiring precision and time.
Lake Elsinore
Caltrans projects will include Airport Fire repair work on the Ortega Highway from Lake Elsinore to the Orange County beach cities. Watch for crews and flagmen along the way as work progresses.
Aguana/Anza/Palm Springs
Caltrans will begin shoulder widening on SR-79 in Aguanga, pavement rehabilitation on SR-111 into Palm Springs, and continuing installation of changeable road signs in San Bernardino early this year. Watch for those upcoming project signs.
Tony Ault can be reached at tault@reedermedia.com.
