PUBLIC NOTICE: Interstate 15 Express Lanes Project Southern Extension
PUBLIC NOTICE
Draft Environmental Impact Report/Environmental Assessment Available for Interstate 15 Express Lanes Project Southern Extension (ELPSE)
Announcement of Public Hearing
For more project information check out the Caltrans website here and the RCTC website here.
What Is Being Planned: The Riverside County Transportation Commission (RCTC), in cooperation with the California Department of Transportation (CALTRANS), is proposing to extend the tolled express lanes in both directions along Interstate (I) 15 in Riverside County between the cities of Lake Elsinore and Corona. RCTC is the local Project sponsor, and CALTRANS is the lead agency under the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA) and National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA). RCTC and CALTRANS have conducted preliminary engineering and environmental studies to support the Environmental Impact Report and Environmental Assessment (EIR/EA) for the proposed I-15 Express Lanes Project Southern Extension (Project). The Project is intended to improve and manage traffic operations, congestion, and travel times along the corridor by extending the I-15 Express Lanes an additional 15.8 miles. The proposed improvements would extend from El Cerrito Road in Corona, through Temescal Valley, to State Route (SR-) 74 (Central Avenue) in Lake Elsinore. The Project would also add southbound auxiliary lanes between both the Main Street (post mile [PM] 21.2) Off-Ramp and SR-74 (Central Avenue) On-Ramp (approximately 0.75 mile), and the SR-74 (Central Avenue) Off-Ramp and Nichols Road On-Ramp (PM 23.9) (approximately 1 mile). Other Project features include widening 15 bridges, creating multiple express lane access points, and constructing potential noise barriers, retaining walls, drainage systems, electronic toll collection equipment, ramp meters, and signage that would be located within the Project limits between PM 20.3 and PM 40.1.
This Project, as currently proposed, is included in the Southern California Association of Governments (SCAG) 2023 Federal Transportation Improvement Program (FTIP) under the Project’s FTIP ID, RIV170901 (Amendment #23-16) and fiscally constrained. The Project is also included in the SCAG 2024–2050 Regional Transportation Plan (RTP)/Sustainable Communities Strategy (SCS) Project List under its RTP ID 3160001 and the Project’s FTIP ID. According to the FTIP, the Project cost is estimated to be $668 million and is proposed to be funded by local agency funds.
Construction activities are anticipated to commence in 2026 and be completed by 2030. Construction is planned to last approximately 36 months.
Project ID: EA 08-0J082; PN 08-18000063
What Is Available: You can look at or obtain the Draft EIR/EA at the CALTRANS District Office (The Rosa Parks Memorial Building, 464 West 4th Street, San Bernardino, CA 92401) on weekdays from 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. and at the RCTC office (4080 Lemon Street, 3rd Floor, Riverside, CA 92501) Monday through Thursday from 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. Maps and other information are also available. There are also copies of the Draft EIR/EA available at:
- City of Lake Elsinore 130 South Main Street Lake Elsinore, CA 92530
Available for review: Monday through Thursday from 8:00 am to 5:00 PM; Friday from 8:00 am to 4:00 PM; and closed on holidays.Please call the city of Lake Elsinore at (951) 674-3124 to confirm availability of hard copies for review.
- Lake Elsinore Library 600 West Graham, Lake Elsinore, CA 92530
Available for review: Monday, Wednesday, and Thursday from 10:00 am to 6:00 PM; Tuesday from 11:00 am to 7:00 PM; Friday from 10:00 am to 5:00 PM; Saturday from 10:00 am to 2:00 PM; and closed on holidays.
Please call the Lake Elsinore Library at (951) 674-4517 to confirm availability of hard copies for review.
- Corona Public Library 650 South Main Street, Corona, CA 92882
Available for review: Monday through Thursday from 10:00 am to 8:00 PM; Friday from 10:00 am to 6:00 PM; Saturday from 1:00 PM to 5 PM; and closed on holidays.
Please call the Corona Public Library at (951) 736-2381 to confirm availability of hard copies for review.
- The Draft EIR/EA is available under at the State Clearinghouse (SCH) website under SCH #2019100381 at https://ceqanet.opr.ca.gov/2019100381/4.
- In addition, the Draft EIR/EA and technical studies are available at the RCTC website athttps://www.rctc.org/projects/i15-express-southern-extension/.
Where You Come In: Have the potential impacts been addressed? Do you have information that should be included? Your comments will be part of the public record. If you wish to make a comment on the Draft EIR/EA, you may submit your written comments until November 26, 2024, to RCTC at:
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Jeff Dietzler, Capital Projects Manager (Tolling) Riverside County Transportation Commission 4080 Lemon Street, Third Floor, P.O. Box 12008, Riverside, CA 92501 or via email to: 15projectsouth@rctc.org. Please use “Interstate 15 Express Lanes Project Southern Extension” in the subject line.
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Public hearings were held on Tuesday, October 22, 2024; Wednesday, October 23, 2024. And another public hearing opportunity on Tuesday, October 29, 2024, to discuss the Project.
- Contact: For more information about this study, please contact Jeff Dietzler at (951)787-7141. For any other transportation matter, please contact the Caltrans District 8 Office of Public Affairs at (909)383-4631.