The Point: Auxiliary lane will help relieve congestion on heavily traveled segment of I-15
The I-15 is a major lifeline for residents and commuters across southern California – connecting cities, major job hubs, cultural centers, and recreational areas. Residents of Temecula and nearby communities experience some of the highest traffic volumes along this corridor, but a recently completed project aims to make travel in this region a little bit easier. On October 1, 2024, the City of Temecula cut the ribbon on the I-15 Congestion Relief Project designed to improve operations and safety on a heavily congested segment of northbound I-15.
The Riverside County Transportation Commission (RCTC) approved $3.5 million in Transportation Uniform Mitigation Fee (TUMF) funding that helped make the $4.4 million project possible.
The project constructed a new 1.5-mile auxiliary lane on northbound I-15 between the Temecula Parkway on-ramp and the Rancho California Road off-ramp. This auxiliary lane allows motorists to get on and off I-15 with minimal disruption on the four general purpose lanes. This new lane will help improve traffic flow and safety along the corridor. Retaining walls were also constructed along the east side of I-15 and the undercrossing beneath the Santiago Road bridge was widened as part of the project.
The project was envisioned by a years-long effort by the Move I-15 Through Temecula Valley Regional Task Force – a group consisting of RCTC, elected officials from the region, and various transportation planning agencies that focused on anticipated congestion efforts in the southwestern part of Riverside County. The result of this collaboration paved the way for the I-15 Congestion Relief Project and RCTC’s I-15 Smart Freeway Pilot Project – which is slated to start construction later this year.
Riverside County’s continued growth underscores the vital need for transportation solutions along the heavily traveled I-15. With the completion of the I-15 Congestion Relief Project, along with planned future improvements along this busy corridor, local and regional efforts are working together to improve the region’s transportation network for our residents.
For more information about this project, please visit: TemeculaCA.gov/CongestionRelief