REPORT TO CITY COUNCIL
To:Honorable Mayor and Members of the City Council
From:Jason Simpson, City Manager
Prepared by:Yu Tagai, City Engineer
Date:December 9, 2025
Subject:Memorandum of Understanding with Riverside County Transportation Commission for the Construction of the Interstate 15 Express Lane Project Southern Extension
Recommendation
Approve and authorize the Mayor to execute a Memorandum of Understanding with Riverside County Transportation Commission for the Construction of the Interstate 15 Express Lane Project Southern Extension.
Background
Riverside County Transportation Commission (RCTC) in partnership with Caltrans and the Federal Highway Administration, completed the Interstate 15 Express Lanes Project in 2021, which added two express lanes to I-15 in both directions between State Route 60 to Cajalco Road in Corona. RCTC is now undertaking the construction of two new tolled express lanes from approximately Cajalco Road to approximately State Route 74 (Central Avenue) in the City of Lake Elsinore. The I-15 Express Lane Southern Extension proposes to widen up to 15 bridges, add noise barriers, retaining walls, and drainage systems, and implement tolling equipment and signs.
Discussion
The Memorandum of Understanding will establish and coordinate the responsibilities of RCTC and the City, with respect to the I-15 Express Lanes Southern Extension Project.
RCTC is responsible for providing all services to complete the project and obtain all applicable environmental approvals and permits; providing all funding for the project; constructing any project work within the City’s jurisdiction and providing the City an opportunity to inspect said work; carrying out public outreach to keep the stakeholders and general public apprised of the project.
City is responsible for reviewing plans in a timely manner for project work, if any, in the City‘s jurisdiction; processing required encroachment permits; and attending meetings of task force I-15 ELPSE MOU
formed for public information, traffic management, detours, and related construction work.
Currently, there are no modifications to any City-owned facility expected.
Fiscal Impact
There is no financial impact associated with entering into the Memorandum of Understanding.
Attachments
Attachment 1 - I-15 ELPSE MOU
Attachment 2 - Project Map
Engineering