Coffman Specialties Inc. is working on a $27.5 million I-215 pavement repair project in So. California with completion expected by fall 2026. The project covers 6.2 mi. and includes safety enhancements, ADA improvements, and asphalt paving. Funding comes from SB 1, ensuring smooth and durable roadways. various subcontractors are involved in the project.
Coffman Specialties photo
Concrete work is a major part of the improvement
On Oct. 14, 2024, Coffman Specialties Inc. started work on the California Department of Transportation's (Caltrans) $27.5 million Interstate 215 pavement repairs project covering 6.2 mi. between the San Jacinto River Bridge and the Ramona Expressway in Perris.
That work continues and will be expanding.
The construction zone is both northbound and southbound of the bridge, with the major pavement rehabilitation expected to be completed by fall 2026. The project will refurbish the existing roads in Riverside County with new pavement, enhanced safety and improved accessibility.
"The pavement rehabilitation project will help improve safety, ride quality, reduce traffic disruption and extend pavement life. This is a meaningful investment to a growing region," said Catalino Pining, Caltrans District 8 director. "This segment of Interstate 215 was identified through the Project Initiation Proposal Process to meet efficiency and roadway standards. The project was created to address minor distress and generalized poor ride quality of the existing roadway. ADA improvements are included to meet current standards. Worker safety elements were included to meet deficiencies."
Roadway safety improvements include the existing mainline and ramps paving; pedestrian curb ramp upgrades; guardrail replacement with the Midwest Guardrail System; vegetation control and construction maintenance vehicle pullouts; slope stabilization and erosion control measures; and the placement of rumble strips along the inside and inside shoulders and in missing locations.
Caltrans is rehabilitating other sections of I-215, too.
"We have a $27 million pavement rehabilitation near Murrieta from just north of Clinton Keith Road to north of Newport Road," Pining said. "This work has started, with paving expected this spring. Another $24 million pavement rehabilitation project is soon to begin [likely spring 2025] in the city of Riverside from just south of Martin Luther King Boulevard to north of Chicago Avenue. Finally, a $55 million pavement rehabilitation project in the city of Riverside from north of Ramona Expressway to Martin Luther King Jr. Boulevard is expected to begin summer 2026."
The San Jacinto River Bridge to the Ramona Expressway project is funded through Senate Bill (SB) 1, the Road Repair and Accountability Act of 2017. SB 1 provides $5 billion in transportation funding annually split between the state and local agencies.
The project was designed by Caltrans.
"We had a design change for the material used for paving the freeway," said Mohamad AlSheikh, resident engineer of Caltrans District 8. "We had to add areas that needed a thicker section of removing and replacing the asphalt due to bad road conditions and add extra temporary barriers for safety reasons to some locations. The lifespan of an asphalt freeway typically ranges 25 years, depending on various factors such as traffic volume, weather conditions and maintenance practices.
"Highways experience heavy loads and constant traffic, which can lead to wear and deterioration over time. Proper installation, including a well-compacted base and quality asphalt mix, is essential for longevity. Regular maintenance, such as crack sealing, resurfacing and timely repairs, can extend the freeway's lifespan, ensuring a smooth and safe driving experience for motorists."
The hot-mix asphalt (HMA) is a combination of asphalt binder and aggregates heated and mixed at high temperatures, typically between 275-325 degrees F.
"This material is widely used in road construction, highways and airport runways due to its durability, flexibility and smooth riding surface," AlSheikh said. "The key components of HMA include the asphalt binder, a petroleum-based substance that binds the aggregate together and provides water resistance. The aggregates, consisting of crushed stone, sand and gravel, give the mixture its strength and stability. Additionally, modifiers and additives, such as polymers, fibers and rejuvenators, can be included to enhance performance, increase flexibility and extend the pavement's longevity.
"HMA is valued for its ability to withstand heavy traffic loads, resist water damage and provide a long-lasting pavement solution," he said. "With proper design and maintenance, it ensures smooth and durable roadways that support transportation infrastructure efficiently."
Coffman Specialties crews are ramping up to improve pedestrian curb ramps.
"Traffic safety is being resolved with use of K-rail barriers and lane and ramp closures in work areas," said Carolina Rojas, Caltrans District 8 spokesperson.
I-215 has three lanes in each direction, with shoulders on the outer sides.
Pavement repairs require lane closures. An Oct. 24, 2025, night operation on the I-215 southbound ramp blocked off a section as K-rail was placed to provide crews with a safe place to work. The K-rail was shipped to the site on flatbeds and lifted to form a line.
Starting on April 1, crews will conduct asphalt paving on I-215 for 70 days over a three- to four-month period.
"The whole section is being rehabilitated through milling and the overlay of existing mainline and ramps and shoulders," Rojas said.
Flexibility is important in keeping the work moving.
"We can relocate equipment within one hour," said Mary De La Rosa, a Coffman Specialties project manager.
For this and other work, operators are using a shuttle buggy, a Cat AP-1055D paver, a Cat 160 motor grader, BOMAG 120MG rollers, a Cat CS-563E vibratory smooth drum roller, a water truck and a skiploader.
Pedestrian curb ramp upgrades are being conducted at night. At several locations, the hot mix is laid around poles.
Work has started on slope stabilization and erosion control measures.
"Temporary binder has been placed at the slopes," De La Rosa said. "Once the irrigation is complete, we will do a final hydroseed. [At Ramona, Nuevo and Redlands] New plants will be installed and new irrigation lines to be installed with concrete curbs separating mulch and gravel."
De La Rosa is assisted by Project Engineer Shane Morales and Project Superintendent Robert Nicholas.
As for subcontractors, Composite Technology International is performing the milling operations; Essential Building Services is handling the stamped concrete and the replacement of the pedestrian curb ramps; and Chrisp Co. is doing the striping.
In addition, Maneri is performing traffic control, CPE is overseeing ramp metering, Sequoia Consultants is handling quality control, DC Hubbs Construction is working on the guardrails and the Griffith Co. is performing landscaping.
Crews anticipate removing 90,000 tons of asphalt and concrete. New materials are expected to include 90,000 tons of asphalt and 300 cu. yds. of concrete.
Long hours can take a toll on equipment, and Coffman Specialties and the subcontractors said that wear and tear repairs and routine maintenance are dealt with promptly. The firms buy and rent equipment from local and regional dealerships. CEG
Irwin Rapoport
A journalist who started his career at a weekly community newspaper, Irwin Rapoport has written about construction and architecture for more than 15 years, as well as a variety of other subjects, such as recycling, environmental issues, business supply chains, property development, pulp and paper, agriculture, solar power and energy, and education. Getting the story right and illustrating the hard work and professionalism that goes into completing road, bridge, and building projects is important to him. A key element of his construction articles is to provide readers with an opportunity to see how general contractors and departments of transportation complete their projects and address challenges so that lessons learned can be shared with a wider audience.
Rapoport has a BA in History and a Minor in Political Science from Concordia University. His hobbies include hiking, birding, cycling, reading, going to concerts and plays, hanging out with friends and family, and architecture. He is keen to one day write an MA thesis on military and economic planning by the Great Powers prior to the start of the First World War.
Read more from Irwin Rapoport here.
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