Nightly Closures Of Highway 74 Near Lake Elsinore To Resume Aug. 24: Caltrans

LAKE ELSINORE, CA — Full closures of Highway 74 near Lake Elsinore will resume nightly starting Monday as construction crews continue work on a $96.1 million safety and lane widening project, Caltrans announced on Thursday.

The California Department of Transportation said the Ortega Highway Widening Improvements Project will widen lanes and shoulders, and add safety features from just west of Monte Vista Street to Grand Avenue on State Route 74.

The project is expected to relieve existing and future traffic congestion along the busy corridor.

Weather permitted, the road closures will be in effect from 10 p.m. to 5 a.m. Monday, Aug. 24 through Thursday, Aug. 27 while crews will work on excavation, wall placement and various construction, according to Caltrans.

Weeknight flagging operations also continues through Aug. 21 from 8 p.m. to 5 a.m. between at Monte Vista, west of El Cariso Road to Grand Avenue in Lake Elsinore.

Caltrans said flagging operations are scheduled to occur at various locations nightly, which may cause delays. Motorists were advised to plan ahead of traveling, as flagging will be performed in both directions and may take 20 minutes of wait time on each side at every location. Daytime flagging may also occur as needed.

Motorists were advised to watch for signage alerting them of upcoming maintenance, and to reduce their speed in and surrounding the work zone.