I-15 Express Lanes Through SWR Would Alleviate RivCo Traffic At A Cost

LAKE ELSINORE, CA—The Riverside County Transportation Commission is nearing the completion of the environmental study and preliminary engineering phase of its proposed I-15 Express Lanes Project Southern Extension, according to the agency.

Experts say the expansion is motivated by reducing travel times, improving traffic operations, and offering more travel choices for carpools and mass transit.

The draft of the Environmental Impact Report and Environmental Assessment is anticipated to conclude at the end of 2025. Currently pending approval, according to the RCTC, construction could begin in 2026 or 2027 for $550 to 650 million, which would be funded through federal, state, local, and toll sources.

According to RCTC documents, if all goes according to plan, work on the I-15 expansion will be concluded within about 36 months, sometime in 2030.

The commission is proposing two tolled lanes, both directions, within the existing I-15 median to accommodate traffic that backs up to a near standstill multiple times a day. The project would alleviate traffic through the region, increasing travel times through the corridor from Corona through Temescal Valley at Central Avenue (State Route 74) exit in Lake Elsinore.

"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," they said.

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.

The RCTC will post project details and information on how to participate during the public review period at: www.rctc.org/15projectsout.