I-15 Nichols Interchange Project Lake Elsinore Public Scoping

I-15/Nichols Interchange Project Kicks Off Public Scoping!

The City of Lake Elsinore (City), in cooperation with the California Department of Transportation (Caltrans) District 8, is proposing to improve the Interstate 15 (I-15)/Nichols Road interchange located within the city of Lake Elsinore, from post mile (PM) 22.8 (0.5 mile north of Central Avenue) to PM 24.5 (2.2 miles south of Lake Street) in Riverside County. Caltrans will be the Lead Agency and will prepare an environmental impact report (EIR) for the project identified below. A Notice of Preparation (NOP) was prepared to request public input on the I-15 Nichols Interchange Project and to identify issues of concern to the public that should be addressed in the preparation of the EIR.

The Project proposes to widen the Nichols Road Overcrossing (OC) and ramps to improve storage capacity and increase shoulder widths to standard; add a segment of auxiliary lane on I-15 in the northbound direction; add complete streets elements such as sidewalks, crosswalks, Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA)-compliant curb ramps, and bicycle lanes; and add or upgrade intersection traffic control devices. The Project would be implemented primarily along Nichols Road within and adjacent to the I-15 interchange area, with associated improvements on portions of Collier Avenue. Other Project improvements include realigning Nichols Road and providing a new bridge over Temescal Creek, west of the interchange. For additional information, please review the NOP at the addresses below.

• California Department of Transportation, District 8, 464 West 4th Street, San Bernardino, CA 92401-1400
• Lake Elsinore City Hall, 130 South Main Street, Lake Elsinore, CA 92530
• Lake Elsinore Library, 600 West Graham Avenue, Lake Elsinore, California 92530

Please send your comments to Caltrans at the address, phone number, or email shown below.

Kourtney Graves, Senior Environmental Scientist

California Department of Transportation, District 8

464 W. 4th Street, MS 827

San Bernardino, CA 92401-1400

(909) 472-1362

[email protected]

A public scoping meeting will be held in Lake Elsinore on October 28, 2026 to provide an opportunity to learn more about the project, ask the project team questions, and provide public comments. Comment cards will be provided on-site. A Spanish interpreter will be provided during the public scoping meeting, and meeting materials will be provided in Spanish.

Lake Elsinore Cultural Arts Center

183 North Main Street, Lake Elsinore, CA 92530

October 28, 2026

5:00pm-7:00pm

Title VI Information

The California Department of Transportation (Caltrans) assures that no person shall, on the basis of race, color, or national origin, be excluded from participation in, be denied the benefits of, or be otherwise subjected to discrimination under any program or activity receiving Federal financial assistance, as required by Title VI of the Civil Rights Act of 1964, as amended, the Civil Rights Restoration Act of 1987, and Federal Executive Order 12898 (Federal Actions to Address Environmental Justice in Minority Populations and Low-Income Populations).

Caltrans will make every effort to ensure nondiscrimination in all of its programs and activities, whether they are federally funded or not, and that services and benefits are fairly distributed to all people, regardless of race, color, or national origin. In addition, Caltrans will facilitate meaningful participation in the transportation planning process in a nondiscriminatory manner.

• Title VI Brochure (English, PDF)
• Title VI Brochure (Spanish, PDF)
• Title VI of the Civil Rights Act of 1964 (Caltrans Information)