INTERSTATE 15 EXPRESS LANES PROJECT SOUTHERN EXTENSION

100424 ELPSE Map

Status: Pre-Construction

Location: Western Riverside County

Type of Project: Express Lanes

Location: Interstate 15 between El Cerrito Road in Corona and State Route 74 (Central Avenue) in Lake Elsinore

Construction: Progressive Design-Build construction method that could begin in 2027

Investment: $550-650 million (estimate for pre-construction, design, construction)

Fact SheetDEIR/EA

OVERVIEW

The Riverside County Transportation Commission, in partnership with Caltrans, is conducting preliminary engineering and environmental studies to support an Environmental Impact Report and Environmental Assessment for the proposed Interstate 15 Express Lanes Project Southern Extension.

The Riverside County Transportation Commission, in partnership with the California Department of Transportation, has conducted preliminary engineering and environmental studies to develop the Environmental Impact Report and Environmental Assessment (EIR/EA) for the proposed Interstate 15 Express Lanes Project Southern Extension.

The proposed project would improve and manage traffic operations, congestion, and travel times along the corridor by extending the I-15 Express Lanes an additional 15.8 miles. The proposed new segment would extend from El Cerrito Road in Corona, through Temescal Valley, to State Route 74 (Central Avenue) in Lake Elsinore. The project would add two tolled express lanes in both directions within the I-15 median to accommodate increasing traffic volumes in southwestern Riverside County. The project would also add southbound I-15 auxiliary lanes between the Nichols Road entrance ramp and the Main Street exit ramp in Lake Elsinore.

Once built, the project would improve traffic operations and travel times, expand travel choice through carpooling and mass transit, increase travel time reliability, manage long-term traffic congestion, provide a cost-effective mobility solution, and expand and maintain compatibility with the regional Express Lanes network.

Other project features include widening up to 15 bridges, creating multiple express lane entrance and exit points, as well as building noise barriers, retaining walls, drainage systems, and electronic toll collection equipment and signs.

RCTC released the Draft Environmental Impact Report and Environmental Assessment (EIR/EA) for public review on October 9, 2024, for public review and comment. The preliminary engineering and environmental process began in May 2019 and is anticipated to conclude in 2025.

Pending project approval, RCTC expects to use a progressive design-build method to expedite the delivery of the project. Construction could begin in 2027, depending on funding availability. The total project cost is estimated to be $550-650 million. RCTC is exploring funding options for construction that may include a combination of federal, state, local, and toll sources.

The hearings will be held at the following locations and dates:

Tuesday, October 22, 2024, 6 – 8 p.m.
Temescal Valley
The Retreat
8007 Soft Winds Drive
Corona, CA 92883		 Wednesday, October 23, 2024, 6 – 8 p.m.
Lake Elsinore
Lake Elsinore Cultural Center
183 N Main Street
Lake Elsinore, CA 92530		 Tuesday, October 29, 2024, 6 – 8 p.m.
Corona
Eagle Glen Golf Club
1800 Eagle Glen Parkway
Corona, CA 92883

Individuals who require special accommodation (American Sign Language interpreter, accessible seating, documentation in alternate formats, etc.) are requested to contact Riverside County Transportation Commission by calling (951) 787-7141 (voice); or use the California Relay Service at (800) 735-2929 (TTY), (800) 735-2929 (Voice), or 711.

Coming soon.

  • 2007: Caltrans approves 45-mile study of I-15 corridor, Route 60 to Murrieta
  • 2008: RCTC and Caltrans begin planning studies
  • 2009: RCTC receives tolling authority on I-15 from San Bernardino County Line to San Diego County Line
  • 2014: RCTC and Caltrans begin studies on I-15 from Route 60 to Cajalco Road
  • 2016: RCTC and Caltrans approve environmental document for I-15 Express Lanes
  • 2018: RCTC secures funding for I-15 Express Lanes Project Southern Extension (ELPSE) preliminary engineering and environmental studies
  • 2018: Construction begins for I-15 Express Lanes Project
  • 2019: Preliminary engineering and environmental studies begin for I-15 ELPSE to support Environmental Impact Report/Environmental Assessment
  • October 21- November 22, 2019: 30-day public scoping period
  • November 12-14, 2019: Public scoping meetings, Temescal Valley, Corona, Lake Elsinore
  • 2024: RCTC releases Draft Environmental Impact Report and Environmental Assessment (EIR/EA) for public review and comment, and hosts three open house public hearings

For questions/comments about this project, please respond below.

The environmental phase of work began in 2019, with an anticipated completion date of 2025, due to the complexity of the project corridor, which crosses multiple jurisdictions, widens up to 15 bridges, and may affect numerous waterways.

Pending project approval, RCTC expects to use a design-build approach to expedite the delivery of the project. Construction could begin as early as 2027, if RCTC is able to secure funding. The total project cost is estimated to be $550-650 million. RCTC is exploring funding options for construction that may include a combination of federal, state, local, and toll sources.

  • 2007: Caltrans approves 45-mile study of I-15 corridor, Route 60 to Murrieta
  • 2008: RCTC and Caltrans begin planning studies
  • 2009: RCTC receives tolling authority on I-15 from San Bernardino County Line to San Diego County Line
  • 2014: RCTC and Caltrans begin studies on I-15 from Route 60 to Cajalco Road
  • 2016: RCTC and Caltrans approve environmental document for I-15 Express Lanes
  • 2018: RCTC secures funding for I-15 Express Lanes Project Southern Extension (ELPSE) preliminary engineering and environmental studies
  • 2018: Construction begins for I-15 Express Lanes Project
  • 2019: Preliminary engineering and environmental studies begin for I-15 ELPSE to support Environmental Impact Report/Environmental Assessment
  • October 21- November 22, 2019: 30-day public scoping period
  • November 12-14, 2019: Public scoping meetings, Temescal Valley, Corona, Lake Elsinore

Scoping Summary

I-15 ELPSE Scoping Summary Document – Sections 1-5 – Main Body

I-15 ELPSE Scoping Summary Document – Section 6 – Public Comments

I-15 ELPSE Scoping Summary Document – Appendices

Environmental Documents

Public Notice

Notice of Preparation

Public Scoping Meetings

The next opportunity for public comment will be when the Draft Environmental Document is available for review.

Scoping Meeting Boards

Videos from Scoping Meeting

Video scripts

For questions/comments about this project, please respond below.