State Route 74 closed this weekend for lane widening between San Juan Capistrano and Lake Elsinore

For those planning a trek on the Ortega Highway this weekend, you’ll need to find an alternative route as State Route 74 will be closed for widening.

The California Department of Transportation has initiated a 55-hour closure beginning Friday, July 16 at 10 p.m. through Monday, July 19 at 5 a.m. between the Orange County border and to Monte Vista Street just west of Lake Elsinore.

Caltrans will have an onsite designated pilot car for residents only as an escort in and out of the construction zone, however, prepare for a long wait time.

“Extreme wait times up to and possibly exceeding two hours are expected,” according to a media release.

Watch for signs placed at each end of the project, “NO ACCESS FROM OC TO LAKE ELSINORE AND VISA-VERSA. No through traffic.”

One of the suggested alternatives for those trying to get from Orange County to Lake Elsinore is to take the I-5 (Santa Ana Freeway) to the SR-55 (Costa Mesa Freeway) to SR-91 (Riverside Freeway) to the I-15 south.

Caltrans asks drivers to obey all posted signs and traffic instructions, including the pilot escort car as well as the CHP, which will be on location and citing any offenders.