91/Perris Valley Line
Completed Construction
Status: Completed
Location: Western Riverside County
Type of Project: Rail Corridor
Location: Riverside to Perris
Construction: October 2013 – June 2016
Investment: $248.3 Million
Jobs Created: 4,469
OVERVIEW
RCTC extended the existing Metrolink 91 Line service from the Downtown Riverside station, 24 miles along the existing San Jacinto Branch Line terminating in Perris.
Service began in June 2016 on the 91/Perris Valley Line, the first new Metrolink extension to open since the Antelope Valley line in 1994. The 24-mile extension of Metrolink was designed to reduce traffic congestion on Interstate 215 and improve transit options for southwestern Riverside County residents, who have some of the longest commutes in southern California.
Construction began in October 2013. The project is located within the right of way of the existing San Jacinto Branch Line through Riverside, Moreno Valley and Perris. Work included:
- Construction of new railroad tracks adjacent to the existing tracks for a nine-mile segment between Eucalyptus/Eastridge Avenue in Moreno Valley and Nuevo Road in Perris
- Construction of a new “Citrus Connection” to the Burlington Northern Santa Fe Railway tracks north of Riverside
- Rehabilitation of railroad tracks
Project benefits include:
Increased Safety – The 91/PVL upgraded 15 at-grade crossings with flashing warning devices, gates, raised center medians, striping, signs, and pavement markings. The project also added pedestrian crosswalks at two railroad crossings, upgraded and closed one crossing, and permanently closed two crossings.
Quiet Zones and Noise Reduction – The 91/PVL provided infrastructure that allowed the City of Riverside to establish “Quiet Zones” at Marlborough Avenue, Spruce Street, Blaine Street, and Mt. Vernon Avenue. In Quiet Zones, railroads no longer sound their train horns when approaching grade crossings, except during emergencies or to comply with railroad regulations. Noise studies were performed to analyze the impacts of the project to area residents. Sound walls of varying heights were built near residential neighborhoods in Riverside.
Improved Mobility – The 91/PVL parallels Interstate 215 and State Route 91 and provides commuters with a safe, convenient and traffic-free alternative to driving on the region’s heavily traveled freeways.
Enhanced Air Quality – Metrolink, combined with regional and local bus services, provides an environmentally-friendly and energy efficient alternative to driving alone.
New Jobs – By extending Metrolink to more of the region, local residents can take the train to jobs within Riverside County. During construction, the $248.3 million project created an estimated 4,400 direct and indirect jobs.
Station Development – Four new stations were built to serve the 91/PVL. The new stations include Riverside Hunter Park/UCR, Moreno Valley/March Field, Perris-Downtown and Perris-South.
74/215 Interchange Project
Completed Construction
Status: Completed
Location: Western Riverside County
Type of Project: Interchanges
Location: 74/215 Interchange, Perris
Construction: July 2010 – March 2012
Investment: $29 Million
Jobs Created: 522
OVERVIEW
Reconstructed the State Route 74/Interstate 215 Interchange in Perris
RCTC, in conjunction with project partners Caltrans, the City of Perris and the Western Riverside Council of Governments, reconstructed the Route 74/Interstate 215 Interchange Project in Perris. The new interchange was designed to improve traffic flow, access to downtown Perris and connections to northbound and southbound I-215. The centerpiece of the project was the replacement of the existing two-lane bridge over the freeway with an eight-lane bridge, with two through-lanes and two left-turn lanes in both directions.
The centerpiece of the project was the replacement of the existing two-lane bridge over the freeway with an eight-lane bridge, with two through-lanes and two left-turn lanes in both directions. Other improvements included:
- Realigning freeway on-ramps and off-ramps and adding meters and carpool preference lanes to on-ramps
- Removing a five-point intersection and 12 stop signs west of the freeway and replacing these with new intersections controlled by traffic signals
- Installing new drainage systems
- Widening Redlands Avenue from 4th Street to San Jacinto Avenue
- Constructing sound walls and retaining walls
- Building an eight-foot sidewalk on the north side of the bridge
ROUTE 74 CURVE WIDENING PROJECT
Completed Construction
Status: Completed
Location: Western Riverside County
Type of Project: Highways
Location: State Route 74 between Calvert Avenue and California Avenue, Hemet
Construction: May 2014 – June 2015
Investment: $5.6 Million
Jobs Created: 101
OVERVIEW
RCTC widened State Route 74 between Calvert Avenue and California Avenue in Hemet
This project widened the lanes, median and shoulders of the south side of State Route 74 between eastbound Calvert Avenue and California Avenue.
60/215 East Junction Interchange Project
Completed Construction
Status: Completed
Location: Western Riverside County
Type of Project: Highways
Location: 60/215 Interchange
Construction: June 2011 – March 2014
Investment: $43 Million
Jobs Created: 774
OVERVIEW
RCTC constructed one carpool direct connector in both directions to close the gap between the Route 60 westbound carpool lane in Moreno Valley and the 60/215 eastbound carpool lane. The project also modified and realigned the northbound I-215/Box Springs ramp and realigned and widened Box Springs Road to four lanes.
INTERSTATE 215 BI-COUNTY GAP CLOSURE PROJECT
Completed Construction
Status: Completed
Location: Western Riverside County
Type of Project: Highways
Location: Interstate 215 from the 60/91/215 Interchange in Riverside to Orange Show Road in San Bernardino
Construction: February 2013 – June 2015
Investment: $170 Million
Jobs Created: 3,060
OVERVIEW
Caltrans, in funding partnership with RCTC and other agencies, constructed one carpool lane in both directions on Interstate 215 from the 60/91/215 Interchange in Riverside to Orange Show Road in San Bernardino County.
The project closed an eight-mile gap in carpool lanes on Interstate 215 between Riverside and San Bernardino counties. This bi-county effort rebuilt the outside and inside freeway shoulders and restriped the lanes to allow for three general purpose lanes and one new carpool lane in both directions.
The project also rebuilt or widened bridges crossing the Union Pacific railroad tracks, Interstate 10, and the Santa Ana River.
INTERSTATE 215 CENTRAL PROJECT
Completed Construction
Status: Completed
Location: Western Riverside County
Type of Project: Highways
Location: Interstate 215 between Scott Road in Menifee and Nuevo Road in Perris
Construction: January 2013 – October 2015
Investment: $123.5 million
Jobs Created: 2,223
OVERVIEW
RCTC widened 12.5 miles of I-215 between Scott Road and Nuevo Road, adding one general purpose lane in both directions.
RCTC started construction in early 2013 to widen a 12.5-mile section of Interstate 215 between Scott Road in Menifee and Nuevo Road in Perris, and opened lanes in October 2015. One lane was added in both directions to provide three continuous northbound lanes and three continuous southbound lanes on I-215 between I-15 and State Route 60.
Where possible, the lanes were added within the existing freeway median. In other sections with a narrower median, lanes were added to the outer edge of the freeway. Using the existing median reduced the impact to homes and businesses.
Improvements to a number of structures were completed as part of this project, including:
- Widening of the Romoland Flood Control Channel
- Widening of the Ethanac Road Railroad Overhead Bridge
- Widening of the San Jacinto River Bridge
- Replacement of the Perris Boulevard Overcrossing
- Replacement of the D Street On-ramp/Overcrossing
In addition, the two existing freeway lanes in each direction were resurfaced, creating a smoother ride for motorists.
Noise studies were performed to analyze the impacts of the project to area residents. Sound walls were built along the west side of the freeway between McCall Boulevard and south of McLaughlin Road.
INTERSTATE 215 SOUTH PROJECT
Completed Construction
Status: Completed
Location: Western Riverside County
Type of Project: Highways
Location: Interstate 215 between Murrieta Hot Springs Road in Murrieta and Scott Road in Menifee
Construction: April 2011 – September 2012
Investment: $29 million
Jobs Created: 522
OVERVIEW
RCTC widened six miles of the I-215 between Murrieta Hot Springs Road to Scott Road by adding one general purpose lane in each direction.
New lanes opened in September 2012 on a six-mile section of I-215 from Murrieta Hot Springs Road in Murrieta to Scott Road in Menifee. One lane and a shoulder were added within the existing freeway median, creating three northbound lanes and three southbound lanes.
This project also widened the Keller Road Undercrossing, added a median barrier, repaired existing pavement and adjusted freeway grading and drainage.
INTERSTATE 15 EXPRESS LANES PROJECT
Completed Construction
Status: Completed
Location: Western Riverside County
Type of Project: Express Lanes
Location: Western Riverside County
Construction: 2018 – 2021
Investment: $472 Million
Jobs Created: 3,300
OVERVIEW
The Riverside County Transportation Commission, in partnership with Caltrans and the Federal Highway Administration, built 15 miles of tolled express lanes in the median of Interstate 15 between Route 60 in Jurupa Valley/Eastvale and Cajalco Road in Corona.
Route 91 Corridor Improvement Project
Completed Construction
Status: Completed
Location: Western Riverside County
Type of Project: Express Lanes
Location: Route 91, Corona
Construction: July 2014 to 2017
Investment: $1.4 billion
Jobs Created: 16,200
OVERVIEW
RCTC, the project’s lead agency, in partnership with Caltrans and the Federal Highway Administration, began construction of this $1.4 billion project in 2014. The project extended the 91 Express Lanes from the Riverside County/Orange County Line to Interstate 15, providing the first tolled express lanes in Riverside County. This design-build project also added general purpose lanes, auxiliary lanes and an Express Lane Connector between eastbound 91 and southbound I-15 and between northbound I-15 and westbound 91. Improvements also were made to interchanges, ramps and local streets. The new lanes opened March 20, 2017.
The 91 Project was designed to save travel time, offer a choice between the new express lanes and general purpose lanes, provide a reliable commute, enhance safety through faster emergency response, improve access to businesses and homes, add jobs, boost connections to transit and trails, and improve air quality.
For information about the 91 Express Lanes and opening an account, please visit 91expresslanes.com.