This week, On the Road is sharing updates on some Riverside County road and transportation projects that are expected to help alleviate traffic.
First, drivers have a new connection to westbound 91 Freeway and the northbound 15 Freeway Express Lane with the opening of the new 15/91 Express Lanes Connector. The new connector, which opened in late November, allows for a seamless transition from eastbound 91 to northbound 15, and southbound 15 to westbound 91. The connector is the Riverside County Transportation Commission’s third toll system opening in the past six years; the first was the 91 Express Lanes which opened in Corona in 2017 and then the 15 Express Lanes opened in 2021.
Drivers who want to use the express lanes and the new connector will need a FasTrak transponder on their vehicles linked to an account. Electronic signs show the varying rates drivers must pay and the rates change depending upon traffic conditions. Motorcyclists can use the lanes for free.
To open an account, call 855-951-1500 or visit riversideexpress.com.
Also recently completed is the Clinton Keith Extension Project in southwest Riverside County, which is especially helpful for those traveling to and from French Valley, Temecula Valley Wine Country and Lake Skinner.
This project widened the section of Clinton Keith from the 215 Freeway to Whitewood Road and Whitewood Road to Leon Road, providing six lanes from the 215 to Highway 79. Previously, drivers had to take a two-lane, rural road two miles away to reach the 79.
The final phase extended Clinton Keith Road from Leon Road to the 79, connecting at the existing intersection at Benton Road.
This project was a partnership between Riverside County, the cities of Murrieta and Menifee, the Western Riverside Council of Governments, and the Riverside County Transportation Commission. Environmental considerations included using goats to clear vegetation. Also, a wildlife overcrossing with protective fencing was built so local wildlife, including endangered butterflies, have safe passage.
Visit https://rcprojects.org/clintonkeith/ for a full project overview.
Another completed project in the county’s southwest region, is the extension of Date Street to Murrieta Hot Springs Road. It was completed in October and opened to traffic. The newly opened portion of Date Street between Winchester Creek Avenue and Murrieta Hot Springs Road allows vehicles to access Murrieta Hot Springs Road and travel west toward the freeways or east to Winchester Road and continue north toward French Valley.
Bob Moehling, Murrieta’s Public Works director and city engineer, said the new connection of Date Street to Murrieta Hot Springs Road will be helpful when the city reconstructs Murrieta Hot Springs Road between Margarita and Winchester roads, starting in spring. This project will widen the existing four-lane road to six lanes. A traffic signal will be installed at the Calle Del Lago intersection on Murrieta Hot Springs Road, so residents on both sides of that road can exit their neighborhoods safely, Moehling said. The Murrieta Hot Springs widening project is expected to take about 9 to 12 months to complete, he said.
For drivers in the city of Menifee, a project under construction is the new Holland Road overpass (hollandoverpass.com) over the 215 Freeway. The new bridge will be located on Holland Road between Haun Road and Hanover Lane and is expected to be done later this year. It will feature four lanes, bicycle lanes, sidewalks, and noise-reducing retaining walls. This project also includes a realignment of Willowood Lane and a new Dutch Circle cul-de-sac.
The new overpass extends Holland Road as another much-needed east-west route over the freeway. This should alleviate traffic on Newport and Scott roads.
Do you commute to work in the Inland Empire? Spend a lot of time in your vehicle? Have questions about driving, freeways, toll roads or parking? If so, write or call On the Road and we’ll try to answer your questions. Please include your question or issue, name, city of residence, phone number and email address. Write [email protected] or call us at our new phone number, 951-368-9995.
