Lake Elsinore Shares Latest Update In Railroad Canyon Road, I-15 Interchange Project

LAKE ELSINORE, CA — Lake Elsinore city officials this week announced that yet another step has been taken to bring the Railroad Canyon Road and I-15 Interchange project to fruition. The final environmental document was approved, and can be viewed via the link below.

The project is expected to be completed sometime in 2022.

* Click Here to View Final Environmental Document
Note this is a large file please allow sufficient time for download.

Here's more info on the project via the city's website:

The Railroad Canyon Road and I-15 Interchange is a significant regional transportation corridor, serving the cities of Lake Elsinore, Menifee, Canyon Lake and the County of Riverside. Due to the continuous growth in the area, for many years this interchange has faced increased traffic congestion and unnecessary delays for travelers. The current design can no longer adequately serve the community.

In cooperation with the Riverside County Transportation Commission (RCTC) and Caltrans, the City of Lake Elsinore is studying and planning potential improvement alternatives to improve this interchange.
The Final Environmental Document has been approved by Caltrans and the project is currently in the Plans, Specifications, and Estimate (PS&E) phase. PS&E Phase will provide contract documents to be advertised and let out for bid. The City has studied and considered several alternatives and has decided to proceed with Alternative 2 in Phase I.

The Project will reduce trip times and improve traffic circulation and capacity for on and off ramps at the interchange. It will also improve the level of service for the Grape Street/Summerhill Drive and Railroad Canyon Road Intersection.

Alternative 2: Northbound Hook Ramp
Project Description:

Phase I: (Image 1, Image 2)

• Reconstruct/widen Railroad Canyon Rd. under crossing from 4 to 6 lanes from Summerhill Dr. to Casino Dr.
• Replace Northbound ramps with hook ramps at Grape St.

Phase II: (Image)

• Construct new full interchange at I-15/Franklin St.
• Add auxiliary lanes from Franklin St. Interchange to Main St. Interchange and from Franklin Street Interchange to Railroad Canyon Road Interchange.
• Widen Main Street and realign/widen Southbound on ramps from 1 to 2 lanes.
• Construct new frontage road on the east side of 1-15

Patch file photo by Renee Schiavone