Completion of Newport bridge expected in two months

Construction on the south side of the Newport Road bridge is seen from the eastbound lane of the open portion of the bridge. Menifee 24/7 photo: Kristen Spoon

Work on the last major phase of the Newport Road Bridge freeway interchange project is underway and completion of the entire project is expected in about two months, a city official said.

Concrete is being poured into the supports constructed on the south side of the bridge, which will expand the bridge to six lanes. That phase of the project is expected to be complete in about two months, said Gina Gonzalez, economic development manager for the City of Menifee. She said the last of the freeway ramps should be completed by early October.

Intermittent road and freeway lane closures will continue during construction. When it is completed, the $48.4 million expansion will improve freeway access and traffic along that busy east-west corridor, on which motorists can travel from Hemet to Lake Elsinore.