Scott Road Interchange closes this weekend for 'shuffle'

Editor's note: This press release from the City of Menifee is an important announcement about this weekend's "Scott Shuffle", when crews will complete preparations for a transition from the current Scott Road bridge to the new bridge. After closing the interchange to traffic beginning tonight (Oct. 18) at 10 p.m., it will re-open Monday morning with traffic crossing over the new, wider bridge.

Construction on the remainder of the interchange -- including looping on- and off-ramps -- will continue for the next few months.

The Scott Road Interchange will be closed for 55 continuous hours beginning tonight at 10 p.m. through Monday  at 5 a.m. During the "Scott Shuffle," the following will be closed for the entire 55 hours:

-- Scott Road, including the overpass bridge, from Haun Road to Antelope Road.

-- All interchange on- and off-ramps.

-- Antelope Road from Scott Road to Garbani Road may close as early as 8 p.m.

Freeway lanes on the 215 Freeway will remain open. Motorists may follow the posted detour to Newport Road for local freeway access and to travel east/west over the freeway.

The "Scott Shuffle" closure is necessary for crews to complete grade changes on Scott Road to align the roadway with the newly constructed six-lane Scott Road bridge. Crews also will complete tie-in work at the intersections of Scott Road and the freeway ramps, along with signal and widening work at Scott and Antelope Roads.

The "Scott Shuffle" is a key milestone for the interchange project and on Monday morning, the traffic pattern on Scott Road will be reconfigured so that vehicles may travel on the newly opened Scott Road Bridge. Opening the new six-lane bridge will help to relieve traffic congestion through this busy east/west corridor, and when the project is completed, it will provide improved access to the freeway.

"During the Scott Shuffle, we are asking our residents, visitors and motorists traveling through Menifee for your patience and attention to closures and detour signage," said City Engineer Jonathan Smith. "Please plan your route before you go and allow plenty of travel time. Also note that all businesses on Scott Road will be open during their regular hours throughout the closure period."

After the Scott Shuffle, the next project milestone is opening the two new loop ramps on the northbound off-ramp and southbound on-ramp, and opening the new widened and lengthened southbound on-ramp. The $57.8 million Scott Road Interchange project is expected to be completed in late spring 2020.

For more information or to leave a voicemail for project staff, please call the construction hotline at 951-215-2288. The project website is available on the city’s website at www.cityofmenifee.us.