91 Freeway reopens following weekend-long 'Coronageddon'

CORONA, Calif. (KABC) -- A six-mile stretch of the 91 Freeway between the 71 and 15 freeways has reopened following the completion of "Coronageddon."

The freeway reopened as scheduled around 3:30 a.m. Monday after being closed for 55 hours. The three-part project included demolition and haul-away of the old Maple Street Bridge, beam placement for the new bridge and paving.

"Because of the excellent progress made this weekend on the new westbound Maple Street on-ramp flyover bridge, full closures of the eastbound 91 this week at night will not be needed, as previously expected. Intermittent nighttime rolling closures of selected lanes on the 91 near Maple Street may be required," public affairs manager Eliza Perez said.

The Riverside County Transportation Commission's freeway expansion project began in 2014 to provide a vital link between inland communities and Orange County.

The $1.4 billion project is expected to reduce traffic commutes by 90 minutes annually, according to the 91 Project website. The new lanes are expected to open in 2017.

For more information, visit www.sr91project.com.