New Northbound Freeway Ramps Open on Wednesday

The new off-ramp at Newport Road for drivers exiting from northbound Interstate 215, seen on the far right of the photo, will open Wednesday morning to allow the current off-ramp to be closed and accommodate further ramp construction. Menifee 24/7 photo: Doug Spoon

City of Menifee and Caltrans officials are once again asking motorists to use caution Wednesday morning when traveling across the Newport Bridge or using on- and off-ramps from Interstate 215 at the interchange.

This announcement is being made because two new on- and off-ramps for the freeway will open on Wednesday. Due to Caltrans regulations, the signals on Newport Road at those ramps will be flashing red for a short time.

One of the new ramps takes motorists heading westbound on Newport Road onto the northbound freeway. The previous ramp had to be relocated to accommodate a looping on-ramp to be completed later. The other new ramp takes motorists exiting the northbound freeway a bit wider to the right on new pavement, allowing for reconstruction of the old exit lane as the looping on-ramp is completed.

That looping on-ramp, which motorists heading eastbound on Newport Road will take to enter the northbound freeway, is expected to open later this summer.

Work continues on the widening of the bridge, with supports already in place. The full interchange project is expected to open late this year or early next year.