Update on Caltrans Paving Project on State Highway 74 (Florida Avenue) Through Hemet

Hemet, Calif.- Caltrans (California Department of Transportation) continues construction work on its State Route 74 (SR-74), otherwise known as Florida Avenue. The State Route 74 Corridor Improvements Project is a state project that is managed by Caltrans and part of a broader effort to upgrade the corridor and enhance safety and accessibility for all motorists. The SR-74 Corridor Improvement Project covers approximately 11.2 miles between Winchester Road and Fairview Avenue.

The work includes:

• Pavement rehabilitation

• Installation of Traffic Management Systems (TMS)

• Upgrades to curb ramps, sidewalks, and driveways to meet Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) standards

• Enhanced bike lane signage and striping

• Improvements to 29 bus pads along the route

Paving operations are underway on SR-74 between Winchester Road and Lyon Avenue. The first paving layer is complete, with the top layer expected to be completed by late September. In addition to the paving, construction of driveways, curb ramps, and sidewalks is ongoing at various locations throughout the project limits. Furthermore, asphalt removal between Lyon Avenue and Fairview Street will begin in late September. This work will involve flagging operations, primarily during night hours, and is expected to take several weeks to complete.

These improvements are designed to benefit residents, businesses, and visitors by reducing traffic delays, improving road safety, increasing accessibility for all modes of transportation, and providing smoother roads, safer intersections, enhanced pedestrian access, and better traffic management.

The project is expected to last through late summer 2025, with construction occurring both during the day and night. Work hours are scheduled from Monday through Friday, with occasional nighttime flagging operations and temporary lane closures. Commuters may experience delays of up to 15 minutes, and reduced speed limits of 10 mph are in place to ensure the safety of both workers and drivers.

Residents and businesses should be aware of intermittent, short-term closures for equipment relocation and construction staging, though no long-term closures are planned. SR-74 will remain open throughout the project. Drivers and pedestrians are urged to exercise caution, especially near work zones.

For ongoing Caltrans updates on this project, we encourage residents to sign up for alerts at https://lp.constantcontactpages.com/su/7VBcuac

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