Good News For Drivers: Several New Lanes To Open On 91 Freeway Monday

CORONA (CBSLA.com) — Several new lanes will open on the 91 Freeway Monday between the Orange County line and Corona, bringing some much-needed relief to drivers.

The $1.5 billion project added two toll lanes on the thoroughfare and one general-use lane in each direction from the 15 Freeway to the Orange County line. There were expected to be long delays on both sides of the freeway overnight Sunday as Caltrans crews scramble to finish construction. 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.

The project required three years of construction which has created even more traffic delays than normal, frustrating drivers.

"I come from Riverside, and it's going to make the commute a lot better, because, when I have to go home at night -- and they have to shut the freeways down -- it takes me 45 minutes to an hour to get home," Donna Queen said.

In addition, as a result of the construction, nearby business owners have seen the number of customers dwindle.

"It did (slow down), quite a lot," Arco employee Andrea Chavez said. "And over this weekend, we've noticed how its picking up again."

Though lanes will open Monday, crews will still need to complete landscaping over the next few months.

For up-to-the-minute live traffic updates, tune-in to KNX 1070 NEWSRADIO and visit cbsLA.com/traffic.