I-15 Lane Reductions, On-Ramp Closures From Temecula Through Murrieta Announced

SOUTHWEST RIVERSIDE COUNTY, CA — The Riverside County Transportation Department continues its work on the northbound I-15 through Temecula and Murrieta, they announced Thursday.

Overnight, lane reductions were scheduled to affect northbound I-15 drivers heading from Rancho California Road through Winchester Road, according to the department.

Northbound I-15 Lane Reductions:

• Thursday, from 10 p.m. to 6 a.m.
• Temecula Parkway to Winchester Road

Northbound I-15 Rancho California Road Direct On-Ramp Closure:

• Thursday night, from 9 p.m. to 5 a.m.

This is all part of the ongoing Interstate 15 Smart Freeway Pilot Project that remains under construction.

A total of $33.5 million is being invested in this, one of the busiest corridors in Southern California, from northbound I-15 from San Diego/Riverside County Line in Temecula to the I-15/I-215 Interchange in Murrieta.

According to the Riverside County Transportation Commission, the pilot project will ultimately use sensors and 'smart' technology to continuously monitor real-time traffic conditions on this eight-mile, non-tolled section of I-15.

"Severe traffic congestion occurs in this area, due to a high volume of vehicles entering the freeway simultaneously, especially during peak afternoon and evening hours. The pilot project will also use ramp meters that work as a coordinated system that adapts to allow more or fewer vehicles to enter I-15 at any given time from the Temecula Parkway, Rancho California Road, and Winchester Road on-ramps.

"Designed as a two-year pilot project, the project is anticipated to improve overall traffic flow and reduce rear-end collisions by maintaining steady travel speeds within the I-15 corridor, without highway expansion and related construction costs and impacts.

Drivers may initially experience short delays on the on-ramps but will gain overall time savings once on the freeway, with fewer stops and starts."