Rancho California Road On-Ramp To I-15 Closing For 10 Days In Temecula

TEMECULA, CA — The Rancho California Road loop on-ramp for northbound Interstate 15 in Temecula is closing for more than a week as part of construction on the I-15 Smart Freeway Pilot Project.

The extended full closure begins at 9 p.m. Thursday, Aug. 14, and concludes at 5 a.m. Monday, Aug. 25.

The closure will allow crews to reconstruct the roadway and construct a concrete barrier on the Rancho California Road on-ramp, according to the Riverside County Transportation Commission.

Motorists are advised to travel east on Rancho California Road, northbound on Ynez Road, and west on Winchester Road to enter northbound I-15.

The Smart Freeway pilot system being implemented in Temecula is designed to provide "an innovative solution to reduce traffic without costly roadway expansions that have been increasingly difficult to implement," according to the RCTC.

"Smart Freeway systems have been tested and found to be successful in reducing travel time, accidents, and greenhouse gas emissions across various parts of Australia and in Denver, Colorado," the agency continued. "The State now seeks to make the system permanent."

The pilot project is being constructed on northbound I-15 from the San Diego/Riverside County Line near Temecula to the I-15/I-215 interchange in Murrieta.

Work is scheduled to be completed later this fall on the $33 million project.

For more information about the Smart Freeway Pilot Project and to sign up for construction updates, visit www.rctc.org/temeculaclosures.

The upcoming closure dates are subject to change due to weather, site conditions, construction progress, and other factors, RCTC said.