CORONA--Federal stimulus dollars will eventually spell some relief for motorists on the Riverside Freeway through Santa Ana Canyon.

The federal government approved $67.8 million Friday for the construction of an additional eastbound lane from the Route 241 toll road to Route 71.

Caltrans, in partnership with the Orange County Transportation Authority, secured the money well ahead of the June 30 deadline to use the funds, as required by the federal government.

With funding in place, Caltrans will begin soliciting bids for construction. The project is expected to break ground in September, creating nearly 2,000 jobs.

“Orange County is leading the way for an economic recovery in the region,” said OCTA Chairman Peter Buffa. “The SR-91 project kicks off the creation of thousands of jobs for the county while bringing much needed traffic relief to commuters who travel that stretch of freeway daily.”

Story Date: June 2, 2009