Page 1 - The Friday Flyer ● DECEMBER 28, 2018

CANYON LAKE’S NEWSPAPER • DECEMBER 28, 2018

Tickets on sale now for POA's Ring in 2019 at the Home Decorating
lodge New Year's Eve Contest winners

2019 concerts Pg. A4 Bash Pg. A8 announced Pg. A10

PHOTO BY MACKENZIE DORE

The Railroad Canyon Road Widening Project is expected to start on Mon-
day, Jan. 7. Commuters are urged to allow themselves additional time or
choose alternate routes to avoid signifi cant delays during construction.
Road Widening Project begins Jan. 7

BY DONNA RITCHIE will post information regarding planned closures terchange has faced increased traffic congestion and
EDITOR, THE FRIDAY FLYER whenever possible. Commuters who wish to be added unnecessary delays for travelers for many years. The
Lake Elsinore recently launched a project to widen to the City of Lake Elsinore’s email notification list for current design can no longer adequately serve the com-
the last remaining four-lane stretch of Railroad Canyon project updates should email pio@lake-elsinore.org. munity.
Road to six lanes. The Railroad Canyon Road Wid- A busy commuter route linking western and east- Phase 1 of the I-15/Railroad Canyon Road and
ening Project will expand the roadway to three lanes ern Riverside County, Railroad Canyon heads east Franklin Interchange Project will cost approximately
of traffic in each direction between Grape Street and from I-15 on a steep uphill path through eastern Lake $36 million and will include widening Railroad Can-
Canyon Hills Road, just east of the 15 Freeway. The Elsinore into the City of Canyon Lake. On the other yon Road under crossing from four to six lanes from
project also includes the relocation of utility infrastruc- side of Canyon Lake, at its border with Menifee, Rail- Summerhill Drive to Casino Drive, replacing north-
ture, the creation of improved drainage systems, safety road Canyon Road turns into Newport Road. From bound ramps with hook ramps at Grape Street and add-
improvements and full rehabilitation of the roadway. there, it’s a straight shot on Newport Road to I-215. ing ramp acceleration/deceleration lanes at Railroad
Once the project is completed, drivers should expe- Most of the route’s eight miles has already been Canyon Road off-ramps.
rience smooth sailing along a continuous six-lane thor- built to six lanes. The Canyon Lake section was opened Phase 2 will cost approximately 65.5 million and
oughfare between the 15 Freeway in Lake Elsinore and to six lanes in January 2013 after an $8 million proj- include construction of a new full interchange at I-15/
the 215 Freeway in Menifee. ect. The westernmost piece of Newport Road also was Franklin Street, adding auxiliary lanes from Franklin
Construction will start on Monday, Jan. 7, and is widened a few years ago. Street Interchange to Main Street Interchange and from
expected to begin first on the westbound side of Rail- In addition to the Railroad Canyon Road Widening Franklin Street Interchange to Railroad Canyon Road
road Canyon Road. Construction on the westbound Project, the City of Lake Elsinore is making significant Interchange, widening Main Street and realigning/wid-
side is expected to wrap up in March. Construction on progress on the future improvements to the I-15/Rail- ening southbound on-ramps from one to two lanes and
the eastbound side will take place between March and road Canyon Road Interchange, which is expected to construction of a new frontage road on the east side of
April. be under construction in early 2020. I-15.
“We’re going to try to make that a fast-track proj- The I-15/Railroad Canyon Road Interchange is a The project will help to reduce trip times and im-
ect,” said City Engineer Brad Fagrell. significant regional transportation corridor, serving prove traffic circulation and capacity for on and off
Construction hours will be Monday through Friday the cities of Lake Elsinore, Menifee, Canyon Lake ramps at the interchange. It will also improve the level
from 7 a.m. to 4 p.m. and will require lane closures and the County of Riverside. The junction experiences of service for the Grape Street/Summerhill Drive and
periodically throughout construction. One lane will the heaviest traffic during school and rush hour traffic Railroad Canyon Road intersection.
remain open at all times. Intersection work will take when vehicles often back up from traffic signals onto The City of Lake Elsinore initiated the project in
place at night between the hours of 8 p.m. and 4 a.m. freeway lanes. On the opposite side of the freeway, April 2000. In 2004 and 2005, interim improvements
whenever possible. Railroad Canyon Road becomes Diamond Drive, con- were made to the interchange to improve operation and
Commuters are urged to allow themselves addition- veying vehicles to Lake Elsinore’s lake, Lake Elsinore circulation. The City of Lake Elsinore has been work-
al time or to choose alternate routes to avoid significant Casino and The Diamond stadium. ing with RCTC and Caltrans to expedite the project
delays during construction. The City of Lake Elsinore Due to the continuous growth in the area, this in- since October 2013.