Traffic Jams At I-15/Central Avenue Interchange In Lake Elsinore: $25M Federal Grant Aims To Fix It

LAKE ELSINORE, CA — Two major Riverside County transportation projects have been awarded a combined $50 million in federal grants to ease traffic congestion and improve safety on state Route 91 in Corona and on state Route 74 to Interstate 15 in Lake Elsinore.

The funding will be distributed as follows:

• State Route 91 Eastbound Corridor Operations Project ($25 million): Managed by the Riverside County Transportation Commission, this project will add a lane for approximately 3 miles on eastbound state Route 91. The lane will run from state Route 241 general purpose connector to the state Route 71 connector auxiliary lane. The project also includes widening bridges, building retaining walls, constructing a two-lane exit ramp, and implementing rockfall mitigation measures.
• Interstate 15/State Route 74 Interchange Improvement Project ($25 million): Managed by the city of Lake Elsinore, this project will reconfigure the Interstate 15 interchange at Central Avenue. Improvements include widening segments of state Route 74 and Dexter Avenue, upgrading Interstate 15 on- and off-ramps, installing new traffic signals, and adding ADA-compliant pedestrian and bicycle facilities.

U.S. Rep. Ken Calvert, R-Corona, who led advocacy efforts and coordinated with federal transportation officials to secure the funds, announced the awards on Monday.

The funding, provided through the U.S. Department of Transportation’s Better Utilizing Investments to Leverage Development grant program, will be split equally between the two high-priority regional initiatives.

"The $50 million being awarded to Riverside County highway projects will make a significant impact by easing congestion and improving safety for drivers," Calvert said, noting that the region remains one of the fastest-growing areas in the state. "By working together with Riverside County Transportation Commission and the city of Lake Elsinore, I’m proud to once again help return tax dollars back to our region."

Local transportation officials emphasized the critical need for infrastructure upgrades in the rapidly growing region. For example, more than 300,000 vehicles travel state Route 91 between Riverside and Orange counties daily, according to RCTC Chair Raymond Gregory.

"Continued investment in the corridor is needed to keep our communities moving," Gregory said.

In Lake Elsinore, city leaders expect the Interstate 15 interchange overhaul to boost local economic development while alleviating daily bottlenecks.

Lake Elsinore Mayor Bob Magee called the investment "transformative" for Southwest Riverside County, noting that it will improve access for residents, commercial businesses, and emergency responders.

"As one of the fastest-growing communities in California, Lake Elsinore depends on strategic infrastructure investments to support economic development, attract new businesses, create jobs, and, more importantly, improve our residents' quality of life," Magee said.