I-15/RRC Rd. Deceleration Lane Project begins

BY Amritha

This week the City of Lake Elsinore was scheduled to kick off construction on Southbound I-15 and Railroad Canyon Road Interchange to build a new 1,400-ft. long deceleration lane.

According to the City of Lake Elsinore, most major construction work for the project is expected to occur during weekdays, from 6 a.m. to 2 p.m. Placing of temporary construction barriers and re-striping began this week and is scheduled to continue Sunday, July 19. Night work is taking place between the hours of 10 p.m. and 6 a.m. and is requiring the closure of freeway lanes 2 and 3, as well as a complete closure of the southbound Railroad Canyon Rd. exit ramp.

No closures are expected to be performed during peak traffic hours. The project is scheduled to be completed by early October 2015.

Lake Elsinore Mayor Steve Manos says, “While this project will not relieve congestion, it is an important first step in improving safety until the ultimate Railroad Canyon Interchange Project is completed.”

In other road construction news, the City of Lake Elsinore is currently in the Project Approval and Environmental Documentation (PA&ED) phase for the I-15/Railroad Canyon Road & Franklin Interchange Project. In cooperation with the Riverside County Transportation Commission (RCTC) and Caltrans, the City is studying four alternatives to improve the interchange. The City anticipates construction for this project to start no sooner than 2017 or 2018.

In the interim, the Southbound Deceleration Lane Safety Improvement Project will begin approximately one quarter mile before the southbound exit ramp and, when completed, will provide a place for motorists to cue while waiting to exit the freeway. During construction, the freeway shoulder will be closed in order to construct the deceleration lane. Drivers are advised to use alternate routes when possible and give themselves extra time for their commute.

Detour signs will be used during ramp closures to direct motorists to use the Main St. exit or continue south to Bundy Canyon Rd. to exit the freeway and enter northbound Bundy Canyon to head back to the northbound I-15 Railroad Canyon Rd. exit.

Once barriers have been installed this week, all work will be done behind the barriers to complete the project.

The project will include the creation of a new deceleration lane, new roadway signs and striping, one overhead sign structure, two new overhead panel signs with LED fixtures and drainage modifications.

The project is being funded by Caltrans and the City of Lake Elsinore. For more information about this project or to report any concerns, call 951-549-9600 or visit www.lake-elsinore.org.