Ortega Highway Closures Through Thursday: When To Avoid Driving SR-74

LAKE ELSINORE, CA — Caltrans is halting overnight travel on State Route 74, the Ortega Highway, for two nights this week due to roadwork just west of Lake Elsinore. The night work is scheduled to begin at 10 p.m. on both Wednesday and Thursday, and the closure would extend from the Riverside and Orange County border to Monte Vista Street.

Caltrans said that drivers would not be able to traverse the cross-county artery after 10 p.m. both nights. Anyone who does will be turned around.

One-way traffic control with escorts will be in place from 8 p.m. to 9:59 p.m., according to a Caltrans spokesperson. From 10 p.m. to 5 a.m., the route will be closed to through traffic.

Residents and commuters will need to utilize the alternate routes to go around the closure each night, beginning at 10 p.m., according to Caltrans.

Residents who live on or west of Tenaja Truck Trail, including Ortega Oaks RV Park and visitors of The Candy Store, will be directed back to Orange County.

There will be no access to drive through Lake Elsinore between 10 p.m. and 5 a.m.

"Be advised, you will experience long waits and delays due to construction operations," CalTrans said. "Please wait for the designated escort through the construction zones.