Ortega Highway Full Closures Announced

LAKE ELSINORE, CA — As part of ongoing work on the Ortega Highway, west of Lake Elsinore, Caltrans is reminding motorists there will be full nightly closures of the roadway starting July 6, and a complete 55-hour shutdown starting July 16.

The road work from the Orange County line to Monte Vista Street in Riverside County is part of a $49 million project to expand the Ortega (74) Highway between Lake Elsinore and the Orange County line. Work began in February.

Full shutdowns are scheduled to begin nightly on Tuesday, July 6, at the Candy Store. The closure will be in place from 10 p.m. to 5 a.m. with no through traffic allowed. Each night, the closure location will change. Passes will be invalid, according to Caltrans.

Then at 10 p.m. Friday, July 16, the highway will shut down for 55 hours straight. It is expected the roadway will be closed over the entire 10-mile work zone, from Monte Vista to the OC line.

The project is widening existing westbound and eastbound lanes to 12 feet on the Riverside County side, as well as expanding shoulders on both sides to 4 feet.

Work is expected to be completed in 2025.