91 Freeway's WB lanes to be shut down in Corona this weekend for resurfacing, ongoing repair work

City News Service
Friday, January 27, 2023
91 Freeway's WB lanes to be shut down in Corona this weekend
The westbound 91 Freeway in downtown Corona is scheduled to be shut down throughout this weekend to enable crews to remove structural supports for one project, as well as perform roadway resurfacing for another.

CORONA, Calif. (CNS) -- The westbound 91 Freeway in downtown Corona is scheduled to be shut down Friday evening and through this weekend to enable crews to remove structural supports for one project, as well as perform roadway resurfacing for another.

Motorists were advised to plan ahead to avoid lengthy travel delays.

The full westbound closure is scheduled to start at 10 p.m. Friday between the 15 Freeway and Lincoln Avenue, with all five lanes out of service until 5 a.m. Monday, according to the Riverside County Transportation Commission.

Four prior weekend shutdowns occurred in September, October and December. Only the December shutdown impacted westbound travel.

Officials said the current closure is required for ongoing operations connected to the $12.6 million "91 Refresh Project" and the $270 million "15/91 Express Lanes Connector Project." The latter involves erecting two new connector bridges to transition traffic from express lanes on the eastbound 91 to the northbound 15 Freeway, and from southbound 15 to the westbound 91.

A groundbreaking ceremony marks the start of a project to reconfigure the 71/91 Interchange in Corona, to improve traffic flow and reduce accidents.

The connector project, which began in April 2021, is expected to be completed in months. This weekend, crews will be removing old support beams, according to RCTC.

The refresh project, which started last summer, entails resurfacing lanes, modifying retaining walls and repairing concrete barriers on both sides of the 91. Work is in the wrap-up stage, though completion has been delayed by inclement weather.

A detour will be available this weekend, taking motorists to the westbound 60 Freeway via the15, after which they can return to Corona via the Corona Expressway, or proceed into Orange County via state Route 57.

Officials noted the westbound on- and off-ramps at Main Street, as well as the Lincoln exit ramp, will be closed within the roughly mile-long closure zone.

Operations may conclude before the scheduled time on Monday, depending on conditions.

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