Traffic Alert: Southbound 71 Freeway Closing Aug. 16-19

The following is an Aug. 13, 2024, news release from the Riverside County Transportation Commission:

RIVERSIDE, CA — The Riverside County Transportation Commission (RCTC) is alerting motorists to steer clear of the southbound 71 in Chino and Chino Hills the weekend of August 16-19. A weekend full closure of the southbound 71 at Butterfield Ranch Rd./Euclid Ave. to the 91 is scheduled on Friday, August 16 at 10 p.m. through Monday, August 19 at 5 a.m. The southbound 71 to eastbound and westbound 91 connectors will also remain closed during the weekend.

Motorists traveling southbound on 71 will be routed to the Butterfield Ranch Rd./Euclid Ave off-ramp in Chino Hills. Motorists then can either return to northbound 71 or be detoured northbound along Euclid Ave./SR-83 to the 60, where they can travel to either southbound I-15 or southbound 57.

To avoid lengthy traffic delays, motorists are highly advised to avoid the southbound 71 and use southbound 57 or southbound I-15 to reach the 91 and other destinations located to the south.

RCTC will post closure updates at rctc.org/7191closures.

The full closure will allow crews to safely perform work as part of RCTC’s 71/91 Interchange Project. During the weekend, dedicated crews will be working around the clock to remove pavement, grade soil, pour concrete, and stripe a portion of the newly aligned southbound 71 lanes. This work will allow for the shift of traffic onto the new lanes, creating additional space for the new connector.

Construction activity is subject to change due to weather or other factors. If planned work cannot be completed the weekend of August 16-19, it will be rescheduled as soon as possible.

RCTC, in partnership with Caltrans, is reconstructing the 71/91 interchange in Corona. The project will replace the single-lane loop connector between the eastbound 91 and northbound 71 with a new, two-lane, direct connector ramp. The project is anticipated to be completed in 2025. To register for construction updates, text 7191interchange to (855) 793-2625 or sign up through the project webpage, rctc.org/71-91Interchange.