Are I-15 Auxiliary Lanes Improving Congestion Through Temecula?

TEMECULA, CA?The new I-15 Auxiliary Lane on northbound I-15 through Temecula has been open for over a month, but the I-15 Freeway work is far from done. According to the Riverside County Transportation Commission, "the new lane is designed to improve operations and safety on a heavily congested segment of I-15, and it's the first step toward the Smart Freeway Pilot Project.

The result was a 1.5-mile auxiliary lane on northbound I-15 between the Temecula Parkway on-ramp and the Rancho California Road off-ramp. According to a recent release from the RCTC, this auxiliary lane allows motorists to get on and off I-15 with minimal disruption on the four general-purpose lanes.

"This new lane will help improve traffic flow and safety along the corridor. Retaining walls were also constructed along the east side of I-15 and the undercrossing beneath the Santiago Road bridge was widened as part of the project.

"The I-15 is a major lifeline for residents and commuters across southern California ? connecting cities, major job hubs, cultural centers, and recreational areas," a news release from the RCTC said of the project. "Residents of Temecula and nearby communities experience some of the highest traffic volumes along this corridor, but a recently completed project aims to make travel in this region a little bit easier."

The I-15 Congestion Relief Project was designed to improve operations and safety on a heavily congested segment of northbound I-15. It cost $4.4 million to complete, with an RCTC-approved $3.5 million Transportation Uniform Mitigation Fee.

What's next?

The proposed I-15 Smart Freeway Pilot Project will use sensors and ?smart? technology to continuously monitor real-time traffic conditions on this eight-mile, non-tolled section of I-15. Severe traffic congestion occurs in this area, due to a high volume of vehicles entering the freeway simultaneously, especially during peak afternoon and evening hours. The project will also use ramp meters that work as a coordinated system that adapts to allow more or fewer vehicles to enter I-15 at any given time from the Temecula Parkway, Rancho California Road, and Winchester Road on-ramps.

Designed as a two-year pilot project, the project is anticipated to improve overall traffic flow and reduce rear-end collisions by maintaining steady travel speeds within the I-15 corridor without highway expansion and related construction costs and impacts. The total cost of the next project will be an estimated $25 million.

"Drivers may initially experience short delays on the on-ramps but will gain overall time savings once on the freeway, with fewer stops and starts."