By Kreg McCoy
When the 71/91 interchange opened to traffic in June 2025, it closed the book on one of the more significant transportation upgrades in the Inland Empire in recent memory.
Since then, the city has moved forward on multiple fronts: a water main replacement on Dundee Road, an 81,600-foot recycled water pipeline tied to the Santa Ana River, a new Eastside Library, and a renovated César Chávez Community Center.
Riverside infrastructure investment in 2025 reflects a city working on long-term livability across transportation, utilities, and community facilities simultaneously.
Key Takeaways
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Transportation: The 71/91 Interchange opened in June 2025; the I-15 Smart Freeway Pilot Project launched the same year; and construction contracts were awarded for Mid County Parkway and the SR-60/Potrero Boulevard Interchange Phase II.
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Water: The Ward 3 Dundee Road Water Main Replacement began in the summer of 2025, and the Riverside Habitat, Parks, and Water Project will deliver up to 9,750 acre-feet of recycled water annually once complete.
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Community: The Museum of Riverside, Eastside Library, and César Chávez Community Center are all in active phases of construction or renovation.
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Growth context: Riverside recorded $390 million in new construction and 13,500 new jobs in 2024 alone, setting the stage for a busy 2025 project pipeline.
Transportation Projects
The 71/91 Interchange was the headline transportation delivery of 2025—a new non-tolled, two-lane direct connector replacing the former single-lane loop ramp between the 71 and 91 freeways near the Corona and Riverside boundary.
Key 2025 Transportation Projects
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71/91 Interchange: The new direct connector opened June 23, 2025, replacing a single-lane loop with a two-lane non-tolled ramp—reducing merge conflicts and improving flow between Corona and Norco.
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Mid County Parkway Ramona Expressway: Construction contracts awarded in 2025; the project improves east-west connectivity across the Hemet Valley and San Jacinto areas.
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SR-60/Potrero Boulevard Interchange Phase II: Also awarded in 2025, this project upgrades an interchange critical to the Beaumont and Banning commute corridor.
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I-15 Smart Freeway Pilot Project: Launched in 2025 to test adaptive ramp metering and real-time traffic management technology along the I-15 corridor.
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15/91 Express Lanes Connector: In development to link the 15 and 91 Express Lane systems for commuters traveling through Eastvale, Jurupa Valley, Norco, and Corona.
These projects collectively represent the most active period of Riverside infrastructure investment in the regional freeway network in years.
Water and Utility Upgrades
The city's utility program is running on two tracks simultaneously: replacing aging water mains in established neighborhoods and building out a next-generation recycled water system tied to the Santa Ana River.
Key 2025 Water and Utility Projects
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Ward 3 Dundee Road Water Main Replacement: Began Summer 2025 with completion expected Spring 2026; includes approximately 3,400 feet of new PVCO pipe, 73 water service connections, 6 fire hydrants, and full pavement restoration.
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Riverside Habitat, Parks, and Water Project: An 81,600-foot pipeline system developed in partnership with San Bernardino Valley Municipal Water District, delivering recycled water from the Riverside Water Quality Control Plant to Santa Ana River tributaries and city parks; will supply up to 9,750 acre-feet annually upon completion.
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Jackson Street Recycled Water Project: Part of the city's broader initiative to expand recycled water distribution infrastructure across Riverside's service area.
These improvements position Riverside well against the long-term water supply pressures facing all of Southern California.
Downtown and Community Investments
Riverside declared 2025 the Year of Arts and Culture and backed that designation with concrete capital commitments across the downtown core and surrounding neighborhoods.
Community Projects Underway in 2025
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Museum of Riverside: Currently undergoing rehabilitation and expansion to increase capacity and modernize the facility for the region it serves.
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Eastside Library: A new branch under construction to improve library access on the east side of the city—a neighborhood that has lacked a dedicated facility.
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César Chávez Community Center: Active renovation underway to update the facility and expand programming capacity for the surrounding community.
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Harada House: Historic restoration of one of Riverside's most significant cultural landmarks, preserving the city's Japanese American heritage for future generations.
For residents in those areas, these are meaningful improvements to both services and neighborhood character.
FAQs
How do Riverside's 2025 infrastructure projects affect home values?
Infrastructure investment and property values tend to move in the same direction. Communities near new or renovated public facilities like libraries and community centers also tend to see sustained increases in desirability over time.
Which Riverside neighborhoods are most directly affected by current projects?
The Ward 3 Dundee Road project directly affects that corridor. The Eastside Library benefits Eastside residents specifically. Downtown Riverside is the center of gravity for the Museum of Riverside, César Chávez Community Center, Harada House, and the new police headquarters.
Where can I track active Riverside infrastructure projects?
The City of Riverside maintains project listings through its Public Works Department and Riverside Public Utilities at riversideca.gov, updated regularly as milestones are reached. For a more targeted look at how Riverside infrastructure projects affect specific neighborhoods or properties you're evaluating, I'm glad to walk through what's most relevant to your situation.
Thinking About Buying or Selling in Riverside?
I follow these projects closely because they shape the neighborhoods I work in every day. Riverside in 2025 is a city putting real capital behind its long-term plans, and that matters for anyone making a real estate decision here.
Reach out to me, Kreg McCoy, and let's talk about how the current project pipeline might affect the neighborhoods and properties on your list.
Reach out to me, Kreg McCoy, and let's talk about how the current project pipeline might affect the neighborhoods and properties on your list.
