Officials said the nighttime shutdowns enabled Watsonville-based Granite Construction Inc. to expedite completion of the $4.69 million Gilman Springs Resurfacing Project, which involved overlaying new asphalt, repairing distressed sections of roadway, upgrading guardrails, replacing rumble stripes, improving shoulder space and reconstructing drains.
“These improvements will go a long way making Gilman Springs Road safer, but it is important that motorists remember to drive safely,” said TLMA spokeswoman Patty Romo. “Don’t get distracted, and don’t get behind the wheel when impaired. We are partners in making our roads safer.”
Only a small section of roadway now requires improvement, but that will not necessitate full closures — only temporary single-lane travel under the supervision of road crews, Romo said.

During the project, access from the 60 to Gilman Springs was not available between 8 p.m. and 5 a.m., though residents whose properties could only be accessed from Gilman Springs were able to utilize the corridor from Alessandro Boulevard in Moreno Valley. The road was also closed to the south at the junction with Highway 79.
A separate $150,000 project on Gilman Springs this month entailed erecting 2-foot-high yellow plastic reflecting devices to serve as traffic dividers on the heavily used artery.
The dividers have been placed 50 feet apart in most locations.
However, along tight curves, they’re be only 25 feet apart, Romo said.
Deadly collisions have occurred on the route over the years. In May, a 48-year-old Moreno Valley woman was killed when a motorist illegally crossed two sets of double yellow lines on Gilman Springs to pass a slower vehicle, slamming head-on into the victim’s sedan.

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Phase 1 completed, consisting in pavement rehabilitation of 1500 feet south of State Route 79 to Soboba Road was completed in June 2013 at a cost of $2.4 million dollars. Improvements made were pavement grinding and overlay, rolled curb, median curb, and safety enhancements, including centerline rumble strips between Soboba Road and State Route 79, and median delineators and rumble strips across the westbound lanes west of Soboba Road.

Phase 2 completed, consisting in roadway improvements of 1500 feet south of State Route 60 to 1.7 miles south of Alessandro Blvd. completed in December 2013 at a cost of $6.3 million dollars. Improvements made were pavement rehabilitation, shoulder widening, and realignment of several curves, construction of a left-turn pocket at the intersection of Gilman Springs Road and Alessandro Blvd., construction of a southbound passing lane starting southerly of Alessandro Blvd. A portion of the project was done in cooperation with the City of Moreno Valley.

Phase 3 completed, consisting in curve alignment of 1000 feet North of Sublette Rd. (west) to Sublette Rd. (east) completed in December 2016 at a cost of $3.2 million dollars. Improvements made were new asphalt pavement, removal of old asphalt pavement (old alignment), roadway signs and markings, reflective pavement markers, and centerline rumble stripe, traffic signal improvements at the intersections of Gilman Springs Rd. (State St.) & Soboba Rd.

Phase 4A pending, consisting in shoulder widening & striped median, 1.7 miles south of Alessandro Blvd., to 1 mile south of Bridge St., construction start date TBD and project cost TBD. Proposed improvements: pavement widening to accommodate painted median with centerline rumble stripes, widening the paved shoulder, dirt shoulder, and slope grading, and extending existing drainage facilities.

Phase 4B pending, consisting in shoulder widening & striped median 1 mile south of Bridge St., to State Route 79, construction start date TBD and project cost TBD. Proposed improvements: pavement widening to accommodate painted median with centerline rumble stripes, widening the paved shoulder, dirt shoulder, and slope grading, and extending existing drainage facilities.

Phase 5 completed, consisting in traffic signal improvements on State Route 79 to 1500 feet south of State Route 79, completed in November 2018 at a cost of $945.000. Proposed improvements: pavement widening to accommodate 2 through lanes of travel in each direction between the on/off ramps, resurfacing from northbound ramps to 1500 feet south of SR-79, and traffic signal installation for northbound on and off-ramps.

Phase 6 pending, consisting in passing lane in segments between Jack Rabbit Trail and State Route 79, construction start date TBD and project cost TBD. Proposed improvements: construction of a North and Southbound passing lane between Jack Rabbit Trail and Bridge Street and a northbound passing lane between Bridge St. and SR-79.

For the time being, Gilman Springs Road is on the list of most dangerous highways in all of California. Hopefully, the completed phases of this rehabilitation project have made it safer than before (only those that drive regularly on this road know) and that proposed improvements once completed will significantly enhance road safety for all those commuters and travelers who need to use this artery on a regular basis.

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Many in the San Jacinto Valley travel to Idyllwild to enjoy the nice weather, fun activities, and beautiful nature. For months, we have had to take major detours, either traveling through Palm Desert or Temecula to get to Idyllwild. With Independence Day now officially upon us, our weekend plans of celebration may need to be changed.  Recently opened only for Saturdays and Sundays a few weeks back, we have received some exciting news from Caltrans. Highway 74 will be open and available to use this weekend, exclusively for Independence weekend. 

The highway will be open for 20 hours a day, up until Sunday, July 7th, according to Caltrans spokeswoman Terri Kasinga. The road’s hours are from 4:00 a.m. to 12:00 a.m., as they have been ever since the original reopening. However, Caltrans has extended the weekend to include Thursday, July 4th, and Friday, July 5th, as well.  

All drivers who travel up the mountain will be escorted via a pilot-vehicle. Stopping and passing is prohibited. 
If you have never been to Idyllwild, it is a perfect place to spend your 4th of July, or any other future holiday or gathering. 

According to Idyllwild.com, “Idyllwild is nestled in the San Jacinto mountains. Set among tall pines, sweet smelling cedars and Legendary rocks. The town has kept its “small town” atmosphere. Locally owned shops and restaurants are all you will find here. Come and experience the peace and quiet of Idyllwild. If you are ready to get away from the traffic jams, or the noisy city life, this is the town for you. Idyllwild has perfect day hikes for the quick weekend hike, as well as the high country for the longer “overnight” hiking journeys.”

There are many different points of interest in Idyllwild. 

The Mount San Jacinto State Park offers many hiking trails with views of the desert terrain. The 22.88-square mile park is in the San Jacinto Mountains, with a great portion of it being a part of the San Jacinto Mountains National Monument. Idyllwild Park features 202 acres of land that contain lakes for fishing, trails, shaded campsites, and a Nature Center. The Center consists of a museum that educates on local ecology and Cahuilla Native culture. 

Lastly, Suicide Rock is a 7,510ft-high granite outcrop that is popular among climbers for its 300 or so climbing routes. 
This 13.73-square mile area of land is sure to have plenty of memorable options for any occasion this summer. Be sure to take advantage of Highway 74 being opened this weekend, towards Idyllwild!  

The author of this story can be contacted at villalobos3fidel@gmail.com

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