Commuters Face Extra Weekend Delays On 91 Freeway In Corona Ahead Of New Lanes Opening
CORONA (CBSLA.com) – Drivers can expect extra delays on State Route 91 in Corona all weekend as Caltrans wraps up its work on new lanes set to open on Monday.
The expansion project, aimed at relieving congestion from Corona to Riverside, calls for adding two toll express lanes and one general lane in each direction.
The new westbound lanes are scheduled to open by 4 a.m. Monday and the eastbound lanes by 5 a.m., according to the Riverside County Transportation Commission.
Until then, multiple lanes and ramps on both east and westbound SR-91 are closed Saturday and Sunday. Drivers should expect delays of at least an hour, said the RCTC.
People were advised to avoid the freeway entirely and use the 57 and 60 freeways or Metrolink. They can check updated traffic information on IE511.org.
Some motorists are excited, others not so much.
"I think after all this, it's going to be a lot better. It is," Laura Perez said.
"Oh my gosh! I can't wait. I want to see it. I want to actually see how long it takes me. May be now I won't have to get up so early," another commuter said.
"I don't think it's going to make that much of a difference. I don't. There's way too many people out here," a driver said.
Although the new lanes open Monday, crews will still be finishing up landscaping and other work over the next few months.