Nicolas Road Expansion Opens For Temecula Drivers

TEMECULA, CA — City officials held a ribbon-cutting at Nicolas Road on Tuesday to officially open the long-awaited extension at Butterfield Stage Road. This major infrastructure project was expected to improve traffic flow and connectivity from northeast to southwest Temecula.

The ceremony at the new roadway’s connection to Butterfield Stage Road drew local officials and residents to see for themselves the fully paved east-west route that links Winchester Road to Butterfield Stage Road. Councilmember James "Stew" Stewart held the shears that cut the blue ribbon at the trail, while the main road ribbon was cut by the Sommer's Bend developer, with Stewart and City Manager Aaron Adams.

The project widened Nicolas Road and added what city leaders called an “important new connection” supporting commuters, bicyclists, and pedestrians on the bike path, according to Councilmember Brenden Kalfus in remarks shared on social media earlier this week. “Nicolas Road going all the way through will provide a major new connection for our community," he said. It was also a condition of construction for the Sommers Bend development, "to build out Nicolas to a completely paved road," according to Stewart.

A crucial connection for our city bike trail was also completed, connecting the city of Temecula's trail system to Sommers Bend and into the Wine Country. "This is a great asset that we will enjoy for decades to come, said Stewart, who posted about the event on Facebook, called the project a milestone for local mobility.

“This project not only widened Nicolas Road and created a connection from Butterfield to Joseph Road, but it also added infrastructure that will benefit our commuters, families, and local businesses,” Stewart said.

City staff noted that final trail amenities and landscaping are expected to be completed in the coming weeks. Officials said the extension will relieve congestion on parallel routes and better serve emerging residential and commercial areas as the city grows.