Third Lane of Northbound I-215 Set to Open Friday

According to county transportation officials, the new third lane on the northbound Interstate 215 will open on Friday, with the extra southbound lane opening next week.

A third lane of northbound Interstate 215 between Scott Road and Ethanac Road -- part of a months-long freeway widening project -- is scheduled to open for the morning commute on Friday, a county transportation official said.

The new lane, constructed in space available between the current fast lane and the center median, required the widening of a bridge over Salt Creek, just to the north of Newport Road. The new three-lane portion of the freeway will stretch nearly seven miles, providing much-needed relief during the morning commute.

Alex Menor, project manager for the Riverside County Transportation Commission, said the third lane of the southbound I-215 is scheduled to open by the following Friday, weather permitting.

"This is great news for Menifee and for thousands of commuters who use I-215 on a daily basis," said Menifee Mayor Scott Mann, who also serves as an RCTC Commissioner. "Transportation will always be a top priority in Riverside County, and projects like this are an important reminder of why investing in infrastructure is so important to our communities and the economy."

According to Menor, RCTC needed only 10 of the approved 17 full freeway night closures to complete this portion of the freeway widening project. During those closures, motorists followed a detour on Menifee surface streets.

The remainder of the project, another 5.75 miles between Ethanac Road and Nuevo Road in Perris, will continue as scheduled, with completion planned for mid-2015.

For more information, visit i215project.info.