Project Overview
The County of Riverside is in the process of designing a project to widen Temescal Canyon Road from two lanes to four lanes, from north of El Cerrito Road to Tom Barnes Street.
The purpose of the 0.8-mile long project is to alleviate congestion on Temescal Canyon Road resulting from increased regional traffic and overflow traffic from Interstate 15. When completed, the project will provide a complete street to serve motorists, bicyclists, transit riders, and pedestrians of all abilities.
The improved street will include two lanes in each direction, a center two-way left turn lane, on-street bike lanes with no parking, sidewalks, street lights, bus turnouts, and new traffic signals.
Specific design elements of the project will include:
The extension of El Cerrito Road easterly over the flood control channel
The removal of the traffic signal at Minnesota Road and Temescal Canyon Road
The realignment of Envoy Road with Rudell Road with the addition of a traffic signal
The realignment of the south segment of Jolora Avenue with Grant Street, and the addition of a traffic signal at Temescal Canyon Road
The construction of a major storm drain system
The relocation of two dozen power poles
The acquisition of right-of-way (purchase of strips of land) from most property owners along the project.
Construction is expected to begin in 2027 after the acquisition of right-of-way is completed.
Environmental Process
The Draft Initial Study / Mitigated Negative Declaration (IS/MND) document went through a public circulation period from January 24, 2025 to February 22, 2025. The Draft IS/MND document is available to view by clicking on the image on the right. The Final IS/MND is expected to be adopted in Fall 2025.
Additional Project Details
ADDITIONAL WIDENING PROJECTS TO REDUCE TRAFFIC CONGESTION IN TEMESCAL VALLEY
A separate County of Riverside street widening project is in design for 0.6 mile along Ontario Avenue from north of El Cerrito Road to State Street. The Ontario Avenue project will add an additional northwest-bound lane to Ontario Avenue, which currently has one northwest-bound lane and two southeast-bound lanes.
In addition, the City of Corona is in the process of designing the widening of 0.3 mile of Ontario Avenue between State Street and the Interstate 15 interchange.
The completion of the Temescal Canyon Road and Ontario Avenue widening projects will result in a continuous 4-lane street for the 5.7 miles between the Interstate 15 interchanges at Ontario Avenue and at Temescal Canyon Road near Tom’s Farm.
Other efforts to reduce congestion in Temescal Valley include the Riverside County Transportation Commission (RCTC) project to add express lanes to Interstate 15 for 14.5 miles between Cajalco Road and Highway 74 (Central Avenue) in Lake Elsinore.
All widening projects are tentatively scheduled to be completed by 2028.
Tentative Project Schedule
Fall 2025 Environmental Document Approval
Fall 2026 Right-of-Way Acquired
Spring 2027 Public Bid
Fall 2027 Begin Construction
☎ Project CONTACT
Cathy Wampler,
Engineering Project Manager
(951) 955-6803
cwampler@rivco.org
Project Documents
In compliance with the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA), documents are available in alternate formats upon request.