91 Freeway Getting New Westbound Traffic Lane

RIVERSIDE COUNTY, CA — The morning 91 freeway commute to Orange County from Riverside County may get a bit of relief — possibly by late 2021.

On Wednesday it was announced that the Riverside County Transportation Commission awarded an $18.9 million contract to build a new non-tolled lane on westbound 91 from the Green River Road on-ramp to the southbound 241 connector.

The contract award went to OHL USA. According to the RCTC, the agreement was 27 percent lower than anticipated, resulting in a $7 million savings to taxpayers.

Construction on the project is expected to take about one year. A construction schedule was not yet available, although the RCTC said in a news release that OHL USA can earn two early completion bonuses totaling up to $472,500 if schedule milestones are advanced. There are also financial penalties for not reaching the milestones, according to the RCTC.

To add the new lane, the project will widen the outer pavement along the 91, or re-stripe lanes, in various locations; widen the County Line Creek under-crossing; build retaining walls on the north side of the 91; rebuild a portion of Green River Road near the Green River Golf Club entrance; replace overhead signs; and add lighting, according to the RCTC.

Motorists are asked to watch for lane closures, narrower lanes, construction crews and equipment, as well as changing conditions on both the 91 and Green River Road. Noisy work also may occur, the RCTC said.

The 91 Corridor Operations Project, also known as the 91 COP, was developed in 2018. RCTC is building the project in partnership with Caltrans, the Orange County Transportation Authority, the City of Corona, and the Transportation Corridor Agencies.

“Traffic levels are starting to return to pre-pandemic levels and the 91 continues to be a challenge for Riverside County residents,” said RCTC Chair and Wildomar City Council Member Ben J. Benoit. “We never stopped moving forward because we planned ahead and we know how important it is to keep our economy moving, especially right now.”

Register for construction updates and follow @therctc on social media for the latest information.