$740M Project Aims To Ease Traffic On 15 Freeway Between Lake Elsinore And Corona

LAKE ELSINORE, CA — Efforts to ease Interstate 15 traffic congestion between Corona and Lake Elsinore moved a step forward last week when the Riverside County Transportation Commission approved a "Phase 1" contract for the $740 million I-15 Express Lanes Project Southern Extension.

Once complete, the project will extend the existing I-15 express lanes approximately 15.8 miles south by adding two express lanes in each direction from Cajalco Road in Corona to state Route 74 (Central Avenue) in Lake Elsinore. The project also includes widening up to 15 bridges, constructing auxiliary lanes, installing electronic toll collection systems, and implementing drainage and noise-reduction features along existing right-of-way.

The heavily traveled I-15 corridor is one of the region's busiest and a main route for Southwest Riverside County residents who commute to Los Angeles or Orange counties for work, or to other areas within the Inland Empire.

"This project is an important step toward helping people spend less time stuck in traffic," said Raymond Gregory, Mayor of Cathedral City and Chair of RCTC.

RCTC is using a "Progressive Design-Build" method to accelerate completion of the I-15 Express Lanes Project Southern Extension, making it the first major infrastructure project on the state highway system to use this approach, according to RCTC. The project includes two phases: Phase 1, which was approved by RCTC on May 13, covers preliminary design, scope validation, and cost negotiation for Phase 2. RCTC awarded the Phase 1 contract to SC Constructors. The Phase 2 component will include final design and construction of the project; a Phase 2 contract has not yet been awarded.

The project could begin construction in late 2027 and would open to traffic by 2030, according to RCTC.

For more information about the I-15 Express Lanes Project Southern Extension, visit: rctc.org/15projectsouth