A Driver's Guide to the Newport Freeway Project

This aerial view shows what the completed Newport/215 Interchange will look like when it completed this fall.

By Doug Spoon, Menifee 24/7 Editor

There's little doubt about the most frequently discussed subject in Menifee -- at least among the readers of Menifee 24/7.

It's that darn freeway bridge (sometimes referred to in more colorful terms). You know, the Newport Road bridge and Interstate 215 interchange -- a $48.4 million construction project that, while ultimately providing the solution to a traffic nightmare, is kind of like a bad dream itself until it's finished.

But fear not, motorists of Menifee. As crowded and confusing as the interchange can be, progress is being made and a major change will take place very soon. Every push of a bulldozer, every flashing traffic sign and every orange cone in the street brings us closer to a freeway interchange that will include a wider bridge and looping on-ramps, eliminating the need for left-turn signals onto the freeway.

The latest estimate for completion of the construction is October. The entire project, including landscaping, is projected to be finished by the end of November. But before all that, there are some more immediate developments motorists should know about in order for construction to proceed in a safe and orderly manner.

To help get the word out, officials from the City of Menifee and Riverside County Transportation Department and engineers from the project met with members of the media Friday to answer questions and explain what's coming up. The promotional campaign is being called Menifee Merge. Let's take it one step at a time:

What just happened

As most of you know, the latest development was the opening on Wednesday of a new on-ramp to the southbound freeway for motorists driving westbound over the bridge. This looping on-ramp is accessed from the far right lane of the bridge. Therefore, drivers heading west from Antelope Road over the bridge and wanting to enter the southbound freeway should move to the right lane -- not the left lane for a turn signal, which is now eliminated.


What happens next

Here's a major part of the project -- the demolition of the south side of the bridge in preparation for widening of the bridge.

As you probably have noticed, the existing bridge is actually two bridges, with the south bridge slightly lower than the north bridge and a small gap between the fast lanes. This is the result of the previous renovation, which now is not sufficient to handle the traffic load. The contractor's plan is to tear down the south side of the bridge and rebuild the additional lanes, raising it to the level of the north side for a single, wider bridge.

How will this be accomplished? Here's the explanation from Dennis Green of the County Transportation Department:

Beginning April 4, pre-demolition work will take place. Workers will drill down into the south portion of the bridge (left) and remove wood framing from the original construction. Then during the nighttime hours of one weekend - tentatively April 8-10 -- the south bridge will be torn down, concrete chunk by chunk, onto the freeway below.

That demo work, probably on Friday and Saturday nights that weekend, will take place beginning at 9 p.m. Freeway lanes under the bridge will be closed and traffic routed around the project via the on- and off-ramps at Newport Road. Crews will dump a pad of dirt two feet high onto the freeway lanes to protect them from the falling concrete. Chunks of the old bridge will be hauled away and the dirt removed in time for the morning commute.

That project will take two days, with all the work done at night. That means workers will close the freeway lanes again, dump the dirt back onto the freeway and tear down the rest of the south portion of the bridge the second night.

How will the demolition affect you?

In addition to causing any nighttime drivers to pull off the freeway at Newport and get back on at the other side of the bridge, the demolition requires the following adjustments, as explained by Lucas Rathe, deputy chief engineer of the project:

Prior to the demolition, all lanes on the south part of the bridge (eastbound traffic) will be rerouted to the north side of the bridge (red and purple lines below). By decreasing lane width on the north bridge from 12 to 11 feet, it is possible to fit five lanes on the north bridge temporarily. Two lanes will be for the usual westbound traffic (green lines). Three will be for eastbound traffic -- two through lanes and one left-turn lane to the northbound on-ramp.

Before or at the same time this rerouting occurs, the new southbound on-ramp for eastbound drivers will open (lower left corner of the graphic).

This traffic configuration will be in place from early April until probably October, so plan accordingly. You can complain all you want, but there's no turning back now. The goal is to get it done, as quickly and efficiently as possible.

Once the bridge is widened, the two new on- and off-ramps on the east side of the bridge can be completed. In the end, the bridge will have three lanes of through traffic in each direction, plus outside bike lanes and a sidewalk on the north side of the bridge. There will be no need for left-turn signals for motorists to enter the freeway. The only signals on each end of the bridge will be for motorists coming off the freeway who wish to turn left.

Got it? If not, you can always call the construction help line at 844-440-4636. In addition, the city's website will provide construction updates, as will Menifee 24/7.

Gina Gonzalez, the media contact on this project for the City of Menifee, asked that the media make these six points to readers on behalf of the city:

1. Plan ahead for increased traffic during the next phase of the project.
2. Avoid the project corridor when possible and use alternate routes.
3. Motorists and pedestrians are urged to use caution in the area.
4. Consider alternate modes of transportation, such as public transportation.
5. All businesses will be open during construction.
6. Have patience, please.

There you have it. The next step we foresee at Menifee 24/7 is reader complaints. Our Facebook comments section is gearing up for the onslaught. But while it might be entertaining reading, it probably serves no purpose other than to let off steam. If you need to, go right ahead. Just remember -- we're all in this together. We haven't invented a Jetsons type flying car either, so we're right there with you.

This too shall pass.