The Scott Road Freeway Interchange construction to improve the traffic circulation and handle the growth in the Riverside area will be getting underway by the end of September, officials said.

“The interchange will be completely reworked with the hopes that the traffic will move more smoothly East and West on Scott Road”, said Andrea Suarez, the Public Information Officer of the project.

The existing two-lane bridge with a turn lane will be a six-lane bridge, and the road will be widened from Haun Road to Antelope Road.

The City of Menifee held an “Open House” August 30th at Revival Church, 29220 Scott Road for further information and updates on the construction, giving residents opportunities to speak with Project Managers.

Aside from helping alleviate traffic during high commute times, one of the benefits of the project is to provide better access to the City’s Economic Development Corridor (EDC), which is adjacent to I-215 on Haun Road.

City officials have been working for a long time on the EDC that would provide an integrated industrial and commercial development in the area. Designated area plans include new opportunities for residents to work and shop in the zones; a move that would encourage businesses to help boost the economic growth within the city.

“The project will provide easier access for consumers to get to the EDC,” said Suarez. “The hope is that businesses looking to locate in Menifee will find us more appealing.”

The city has marked the properties adjacent to I-215 as EDC’s, which are specially designated to promote Menifee’s economic success in maintaining growth and residential nature at the same time.

In cooperation with Caltrans and the cities of Menifee and Murrieta, Riverside County previously had initiated the proposal to improve circulation in the area and to meet future traffic needs, which was followed by a delay this summer. Caltrans approved this month to resume the project that is set to begin construction by the end of next month and is projected to finish in two years.

Carlos Geronimo, the Project Manager in Menifee, said that the existing bridge is outdated, and it no longer has the capacity to handle the current volumes.

“The new bridge will be a six-lane bridge that should be able to handle the growth in the area for the next 20 plus years,” he said.

Improvements in the bridge include the widened existing Northbound Off-Ramp, and the Northbound Loop Off-Ramp which will ease the traffic for cars going Westbound on Scott Road. The Southbound On-Ramp has also been widened and elongated to provide a smoother flow onto the freeway.

Cars travelling Westbound on Scott Road will be able to make a right-hand turn and a loop onto the freeway.

Suarez said that the public may not see the actual construction happening until early October. The cost of the project will be approximately $57.8 million including design, right of way and construction.

For inquiries, residents can reach the project hotline at (951) 215-2288.