15/91 Express Lanes Connector
Status: Completed
Location: Corona
Type of Project: Express Lanes
Location: Interstate 15 and Route 91, Corona
Construction: April 2021 to November 2023
Investment: $270 million
OVERVIEW
RCTC, in partnership with Caltrans, constructed the 15/91 Express Lanes Connector, linking the 15 Express Lanes to the 91 Express Lanes. The project provides a new connection from the eastbound 91 Express Lanes to the northbound 15 Express Lanes and from the southbound 15 Express Lanes to the westbound 91 Express Lanes.
The 15/91 Express Lanes Connector was designed to provide a seamless transition between these Riverside County tolling systems for reliable, convenient travel for residents of Corona, Norco, Jurupa Valley, Eastvale, and points north in San Bernardino County, as well as express buses. The project also extended both the eastbound 91 outside general purpose lane and the eastern end of the 91 Express Lanes approximately one-half mile east to Promenade Avenue to help with vehicle merging in this area.
Project benefits and features include:
- Reduce congestion and improve traffic operations
- Enhance safety
- Create a seamless transition and increase travel time reliability between these two tolled systems
The project is fully funded, and RCTC awarded a design-build contract in April 2020. Construction began in April 2021 and the new connector opened to motorists in November 2023.
Construction began in April 2021 and the new connector opened in November 2023. During construction, four single-direction weekend closures of the connectors were utilized, as well as periodic nighttime lane closures of the connectors and on Route 91.
- 2017: RCTC receives $180 million in funding from Senate Bill 132 and the Commission approves amending existing contracts and/or pursuing new contracts to expedite project delivery
- 2018: RCTC prepares preliminary design and environmental studies
- 2019: Commission approves funding gap by authorizing the allocation of $90 million from surplus toll revenue and staff begins procurement for a design-build contractor
- April 2020: Commission approves design-build contractor and design work begin in spring 2020
- April 2021: Construction begins
- November 2023: Connector opens
ENVIRONMENTAL DOCUMENTS
Environmental Impact Report/Environmental Impact Statement (EIS/EIR):
The Supplemental Project Report and Environmental Revalidation documents were approved in June 2019:
The 15/91 Express Lanes Connector will require a nighttime full closure of southbound 15, from Hidden Valley Pkwy to the 91, Sunday, October 22 from 12 midnight to 7 a.m.