Newport Bridge Project Continues, Slowly but Surely

Yes, work has begun on the redesign and expansion of the Newport Road freeway bridge and interchange with the 215 Freeway. If you've driven over the bridge after 9 p.m., you've likely encountered lane closures and scenes like the one above.

No, it won't happen overnight, but you have to start somewhere. In this case, says City Engineer Jonathan Smith, the first step is to relocate the utility lines that run through the existing bridge. Once those are moved out of the way, additional lanes on each side can be built.

When that work takes place -- which will be this spring -- one side of the bridge will be closed for reconstruction while traffic both ways will proceed on the other side -- then vice versa, Smith said. That additional traffic congestion is necessary to complete the work without closing the bridge entirely.

When the project is completed -- projected to be sometime in 2016 -- the redesigned interchange will include cloverleaf on- and off-ramps, eliminating the traffic signals at the top of the bridge that cause traffic to back up past Antelope Road to the east and Haun Road to the west.

For updates on city construction projects, visit this page on the City of Menifee website.