To ease traffic congestion and speed up commute times, construction for a new “smart” stretch of the I-15 through Temecula began last month.
The pilot project, which aims to control when cars enter the freeway, is expected to be completed in about a year, by January 2026, according to the Riverside County Transportation Commission.
The new corridor will affect northbound I-15 from the San Diego/Riverside County Line in Temecula to the I-15/I-215 Interchange in Murrieta, according to the commission.
Along that 8-mile stretch, severe traffic congestion has been a consistent problem for commuters, as a high volume of vehicles enters the freeway, particularly during peak afternoon and evening hours.
By using sensors and “smart” technology to monitor traffic conditions along the non-tolled stretch, officials hope the pilot will improve traffic flow and reduce collisions by maintaining steady travel speeds without expanding the highway itself, according to RCTC.
The project will also use ramp meters that work as a coordinated system to allow more or fewer vehicles to enter I-15 from the Temecula Parkway, Rancho California Road and Winchester Road on-ramps, RCTC said.
The project is expected to be piloted for two years, beginning in 2026. During that timeframe, Caltrans and RCTC will evaluate the results to asses its viability to be implemented statewide, officials said.
But upon completion, the benefits of the new freeway may not be immediately felt, officials said.
“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,” according to RCTC.
