Ortega Highway Upgrade From Lake Elsinore To OC Begins March 3

LAKE ELSINORE, CA — A $49 million project to widen and upgrade lanes of the Ortega SR-74 Highway between Lake Elsinore and the Orange County line will begin Wednesday, Caltrans said in a statement. Drivers can expect delays during construction hours and were advised to use an alternate route if possible, officials said.

Workers will conduct flagging control of traffic flow from March 3 through March 11 from 9 p.m. to 5 a.m. each day, weather permitting. Law enforcement will also be on-site to assist with traffic operations.

Motorists are urged to use caution and reduce speed around the work zones, Caltrans officials said.

This week Caltrans plans to widen existing lanes of the highway to 12 feet, add 4-foot shoulders and ground in rumble strips in both the centerline and shoulders on the Ortega Highway in Riverside County.

The expansion project spans from the Riverside and Orange County line to Monte Vista Street just west of Lake Elsinore. Environmental fencing will also be installed and workers will begin tree removal along the route, officials said.

A map of the work can be found here.

RIV: SR-74 lane widening from Lake Elsinore to the OC/Riv county line will begin March 3rd. Expect delays as one-way traffic control will be in effect from 9pm to 5am daily. Use alternate route if possible. #Caltrans8 https://t.co/ysIjNQncZu pic.twitter.com/hCHsMc7CSA
— Caltrans District 8 (@Caltrans8) February 28, 2021