Interstates 15, 215 Closures Postponed In Murrieta, Temecula Amid Fire

TEMECULA, CA — The second phase of a construction project designed to reduce traffic congestion and improve motorist safety near the Interstate 15/Interstate 215 junction is getting set to begin, but an overnight shutdown of both freeways is planned ahead of the work, according to the city of Temecula.

The freeway closures were planned Sunday night into early Monday morning, but the Fairview fire prompted a reschedule, the city announced Friday morning. A rescheduled date has not been announced.

"Due to the local impact of the Fairview Fire, the I-15 French Valley Parkway Interchange (Phase 2) improvement work scheduled for September 11, 2022, has been postponed and will be rescheduled for a later date. No freeway closures are planned for this weekend," the city announced Friday.

In order to prepare for phase 2 construction of the I-15 French Valley Parkway Interchange Improvement project, Southern California Edison needs to relocate its overhead power lines to accommodate a new freeway bridge being built across the I-15 /I-215 junction. The work includes moving electrical wires that span over the freeway to taller poles.

In order to accomplish the work safely, the freeways need to close temporarily, the city announced. The I-15 and I-215 freeways were scheduled for shutdown between Winchester and Murrieta Hot Springs roads. A rescheduled date has not been announced.

When the freeway closures do happen, detours will be implemented on Jefferson Avenue, Jackson Avenue and Ynez Road, according to the city.

Phase 1 of the interchange project was completed and included widening the southbound Winchester Road off-ramp, constructing the southbound French Valley Parkway off-ramp, and constructing the westbound portion of French Valley Parkway between the new off-ramp and Jefferson Avenue.

Phase 2 of the project includes constructing two to three northbound I-15 lanes from Winchester Road to the I-15/I-215 split. These new lanes — called a "collector/distributor system" — are designed to separate freeway through-traffic from vehicles that are exiting or entering the freeway. The new lanes will be separated from through-traffic by a concrete barrier. Phase 2 construction is expected to cost $138 million and is forecast to wrap up in two years.

The project's third phase calls for constructing the balance of French Valley Parkway from Jefferson Avenue to Ynez Road, the full interchange connection to I-15, and building a collector/distributor system along southbound I-15.

For more information about the project, watch below: