I-215 Widening in Murrieta to Start in March

Motorists on Interstate 215 in Murrieta will get some relief from the gridlock traffic that seems to plague the roadway.

Work by the Riverside County Transportation Commission is set to commence in March, according to Lisa DaSilva, project manager, and will include adding a lane in each direction between Murrieta Hot Springs Road and Scott Road.

The lanes will be constructed in the current 46-foot median, with most of the work expected to take place during night hours, DaSilva said. Improvements will also be made to existing pavement.

A bid was awarded to All-American Asphalt in December for the $30-million project. Funding is coming from state transportation funds, Prop 18 and a small portion from local sales tax dollars.

Work was expected to be complete in summer 2012, dependent on weather and other unforeseen circumstances.

DaSilva said the savings on a personal level for City residents combined would include shaving time spent in the car by 3,200 hours a day; reducing gas consumption by 1,400 gallons a day; and reducing air pollution by three tons a day.

Some ramp and lane closures will come with the work, however. DaSilva said the commission will distribute public notices when those will occur. Information can also be found on i215project.info or by calling 1-855-44-215-INFO.

Representatives will be available to answer questions during an open house between 4:30 p.m. and 7:30 p.m. tonight at the Murrieta Public Library. A groundbreaking ceremony for the project will be held Feb. 24.

The project is part of an overall goal to improve the interstate between the Interstate 15 junction in Murrieta north to the Highway 60 junction. Work between Scott Road and Nuevo Road in Perris will start approximately six months after the south portion in Murrieta is complete, DaSilva said.