Commission authorizes Caltrans cooperative agreement to enable I‑15 express‑lanes southern extension procurement

The Programs & Projects Committee authorized a Caltrans cooperative agreement staff said is required before the commission can obligate funds and award the progressive design‑build Phase 1 contract for the Interstate 15 express lanes southern extension.

Jeff Dietzler, project manager for the I‑15 Express Lane Southern Extension, told commissioners the cooperative agreement defines roles for Phase 1 (preliminary design and guaranteed maximum price development) and Phase 2 (final design and construction). He said environmental approval and the project approval document are complete and that staff anticipates bringing the PDB Phase 1 contract to the commission next cycle.

Dietzler cautioned the commission that Caltrans Deputy Directive 90 "requires that all local agency projects, which produce revenue such as the proposed I‑15 express lanes, reimburse Caltrans for 100% of their oversight costs," and that implementing the directive "has substantially increased the cost of this cooperative agreement." He asked the committee to approve the cooperative agreement (identified in staff materials as cooperative agreement 206‑3150) and to authorize execution by the chair or executive director after legal review.

Dietzler also previewed related items to be returned next month, including memoranda of understanding with the cities of Corona and Lake Elsinore and a standalone toll facilities agreement with Caltrans. He estimated the project could open to the public around 2030.

A City of Corona representative asked whether the auxiliary lanes described in staff materials were one per direction; Dietzler clarified the auxiliary lanes are southbound only to help traffic blending as the two express lanes transition to one and then into three general‑purpose lanes. There was no public comment. The committee approved the cooperative agreement by roll‑call vote.