Parade, celebration mark completion of Temecula Valley Wine Country Archway
Riverside County officials, community groups, and local leaders gathered March 26 at Europa Village Winery to celebrate the opening of the new Temecula Valley Wine Country Archway, a landmark marking the official entrance to Wine Country.
The event was hosted by Riverside County Third District Supervisor Chuck Washington and the Transportation and Land Management Agency (TLMA) to commemorate the project’s completion. A celebratory parade followed the ceremony, with guests boarding a cable car and shuttle for a ride through Wine Country and under the newly finished Archway.
“This Archway represents more than a physical entrance. It symbolizes the pride, identity, and welcoming spirit that define Temecula Valley Wine Country,” Washington said. “It stands as a reminder of what makes this region unique and why so many people cherish it.”
As part of the event, Washington highlighted several regional improvements that support Wine Country’s long‑term development, including new and planned traffic roundabouts, community trails supported by Temecula Valley Rural Lifestyles, sewer infrastructure completed by Eastern Municipal Water District, and the Lake Skinner boat launch repair done by Riverside County’s Regional Park and Open Space District.
The Archway highlights TLMA’s guiding vision for enhancing communities throughout Riverside County, said TLMA Agency Director Rania Odenbaugh.
“At TLMA, our vision is to deliver public infrastructure that strengthens our communities,” Odenbaugh said. “The Temecula Wine Country Archway is that vision brought to life, made possible through Supervisor Washington’s leadership and support. It reflects our shared commitment to creating a welcoming experience for everyone who visits the region.”
The Archway was designed with grape motifs and architectural elements inspired by Wine Country aesthetics, said Transportation Department Director Dennis Acuna.
“Every detail was designed to honor the identity of this region while creating a visually striking entry point for the community,” he said.
Video: Temecula Valley Wine Country Archway
Planning Department reviews proposed updates to General Plan Amendment process
The Planning Department kicked off February with a deep dive into the future of the Foundation General Plan Amendment (FGPA) process. During the Feb. 4 Planning Commission meeting, staff led an interactive workshop outlining proposed updates. The FGPA is the County’s once‑every‑eight‑years opportunity for applicants to request amendments to the General Plan.
The changes under consideration include:
- Removing the current eight-year Foundation Component application cycle
- Eliminating the General Plan Advisory Committee (GPAC)
- Modifying existing General Plan Amendment categories
- Establishing new findings required for amendments
Currently, applications for the County’s Foundation General Plan Amendment Cycle are accepted only once every eight years. This process allows developers to propose projects they would like to pursue in Riverside County. Applications are reviewed by a General Plan Advisory Committee made up of community members during a Planning Director’s hearing. From there, the Planning Commission makes recommendations to the Board of Supervisors on whether a developer can initiate the process for a project. Approval of an FGPA application simply gives a developer the right to move forward with a project. Any project would still require separate approvals from the Planning Commission and the Board of Supervisors.
Because these proposed updates would apply countywide, Planning staff will conduct additional outreach to gather feedback from community members and developers before moving forward. For more information and updates, visit the Planning Department website at planning.rctlma.org.
Mission Boulevard bridge replacement groundbreaking scheduled for April
A new, wider Mission Boulevard Bridge is officially on the way, bringing major upgrades for everyone who uses this key regional route.
The Transportation Department, working in partnership with the cities of Riverside and Jurupa Valley, is preparing to replace the aging Mission Boulevard Bridge over the Santa Ana River with a modern structure built for safety, resilience, and smoother traffic flow. The bridge connects Riverside and Jurupa Valley, but it is also an important link for commuters traveling throughout the broader region.
The existing bridge carries four lanes of traffic across the river and includes a narrow five‑foot sidewalk on one side. The new bridge will be a major upgrade with four traffic lanes, a four‑foot center median, and eight‑foot shoulders. Instead of standard sidewalks, a protected twelve‑foot‑wide multi‑purpose trail will be added along the south side, giving pedestrians and cyclists a safer and more comfortable river crossing.
The new bridge will meet today’s state‑of‑the‑art standards, including modern seismic protections and the ability to withstand a 100‑year storm event. When complete, the improvements will help reduce congestion, improve access for emergency responders, and enhance connectivity to existing regional trails.
Construction preparation began in January 2026 with vegetation clearing. A formal groundbreaking ceremony is scheduled for late April, marking the start of full construction.
Learn more about the project at this link: missionblvdbridge.com.
Pourroy Road widening project completed in French Valley
Great news for French Valley drivers. The Pourroy Road widening project is now complete, bringing smoother, safer travel to one of the community’s busiest corridors.
The project adds a second 12‑foot traffic lane and an eight‑foot paved shoulder along approximately 900 feet of Pourroy Road. These upgrades will make a difference for drivers who travel through the eastbound to northbound movement at the Pourroy Road east–west and Pourroy Road north–south intersection.
With the new lane and improved shoulder, motorists can expect better traffic flow, and reduced congestion during peak hours.
Major apron reconstruction project to begin at French Valley Airport
Riverside County Aviation received funding for a much‑needed apron reconstruction project at French Valley Airport. This $7.7 million investment will fully rehabilitate the airport’s aging apron pavement, enhancing safety and providing a more durable surface to support ongoing growth and daily operations.
An airport apron is the paved area of an airport where aircraft park, load and unload passengers or cargo, refuel, get maintenance, and stage before and after flights.
Construction is expected to begin April 20 and, if all goes according to schedule, will take just over five months to complete. Work will be performed in ten phases to limit impacts on airport users and preserve access wherever possible.
The first phase (shown above) will begin just south of the Jet Center and includes full‑depth apron reconstruction.
Hemet‑Ryan Airport is also undergoing apron reconstruction, but that work is anticipated to wrap up in early May.
Once complete, the reconstructed apron at French Valley Airport will support safe airport operations for decades. The project will also include replacing existing fire hydrants on the north end of the apron with flush‑mounted units, increasing usable ramp space for aircraft.
Short-Term Rental Tier 2 application process underway in Idyllwild, and areas of Temecula Wine Country
The Short-Term Rental Tier 2 application period opened Tuesday, March 24, 2026, for the following areas: Idyllwild, and Temecula Wine Country in the Residential, North Wine Country, and Winery districts.
The application period is open through 11:59 PM, Wednesday, April 22, 2026.
For more information, visit our Short-Term Rental website at planning.rctlma.org/short-term-rental-program or contact TLMA-STR@rivco.org.
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This email was sent from the Riverside County Transportation and Land Management Agency. To contact TLMA visit our website at rctlma.org.
