Traffic Relief At Railroad Canyon Road In Lake Elsinore: Update

LAKE ELSINORE, CA — A new road has opened along the east side of the 15 Freeway in Lake Elsinore, and city officials say the new commuter option should help ease traffic congestion at Railroad Canyon Road and spur development of approximately 125 acres of nearby vacant land.

The approximately 1 mile extension of Camino Del Norte, from Main Street to Franklin Street, officially opened Friday with a ribbon-cutting ceremony hosted by the city. The roadway now serves as an option for those commuting to and from Canyon Estates Drive and/or Tuscany Hills, according to the city.

Construction on the $3.4 million project began in July. Improvements include a traffic signal at the intersection of Canyon Estates Drive, Camino Del Norte and Franklin Street. A sidewalk has also been constructed.

The roadway's opening coincides with the upcoming $45 million I-15 Railroad Canyon Road Interchange project that's scheduled to begin this summer.

The longtime-coming project will mean several major changes to the area, including two new lanes on Railroad Canyon Road through the interchange; reconstruction of northbound ramps; construction of auxiliary and deceleration lanes on I-15; and improved sidewalks and bike lanes through the interchange.

The project is expected to take about 30 months to complete. Funding is coming from a combination of sources, including the city and state, as well as gas tax and transportation uniform mitigation fees, according to Riverside County Transportation Commission documents.