Proposed Fixes For I-10/Highland Springs Interchange: Feedback Sought

BANNING-BEAUMONT, CA — Traffic volume at the Interstate 10/Highland Springs Avenue interchange in Beaumont is some of the highest in Riverside County, and a $25 million construction project aims to ease the congestion, according to the Riverside County Transportation Commission.

To that end, the RCTC and project partners will host an open house-style public meeting next week to share information about proposed new designs that target improved traffic flow and safety near the heavily traveled area. The meeting — scheduled from 5:30 p.m. to 7 p.m. Feb. 27 at the Albert A. Chatigny Senior Community Center, 1310 Oak Valley Parkway, Beaumont — will also be an opportunity for the community to weigh in on the proposals.

According to the RCTC, two main design options are being studied during a two-year preliminary engineering and environmental review process: One option would change the existing on-ramps to hook-style ramps; the other option would convert the ramps to a diverging diamond interchange, according to the RCTC.

In both cases, lanes would be modified at the Highland Springs Avenue underpass and merging lanes would be added between adjacent ramps.

The hook ramps would eliminate left turns for better traffic flow, according to the agency.

The diverging diamond interchange would allow drivers to travel on Highland Springs Avenue under I-10 by crossing to the opposite side of the street, and then returning to the right side of the street once through the interchange, according to the agency.

The latter option would let drivers enter or exit I-10 or continue on Highland Springs Avenue without crossing opposing traffic.

During the Feb. 27 meeting, attendees will be encouraged to talk one-on-one with project team members and provide feedback about the designs. Spanish-speaking staff will be available to assist attendees as needed, according to the RCTC.

Public feedback will be accepted through comment cards at the meeting, by email at [email protected], or by U.S. mail at Riverside County Transportation Commission, P.O. Box 12008, Riverside, CA 92502-2208.

"Comments are an important part of the project planning process and can be submitted through March 27," according to the RCTC.

The engineering and environmental studies are expected to be completed in spring 2025.

Once funding and environmental approvals are secured, final design of the interchange could begin as early as 2026, and construction could follow in 2027, according to the RCTC.

To register for project updates, visit the project webpage and register through the Contact Us section.