Cajalco Road Detour Route to Begin in mid-June

Perris, CA (June 12, 2025) – Motorists who travel on Cajalco Road in the unincorporated community of Mead Valley will soon be required to use a detour route due to the ongoing construction of Eastern Municipal Water District’s (EMWD) new sewer line.

In late 2024, EMWD’s contractor began work on the Mead Valley Cajalco Corridor Sewer Project between Carpinus Drive and Carroll Street. The project is necessary to accommodate future growth and is funded in part by the American Rescue Plan Act, courtesy of the County of Riverside.

Beginning June 23, 2025, a detour route will be in place for eastbound traffic on weekdays between 8:30 a.m. and 3:30 p.m. Although Cajalco Road is a major thoroughfare, certain sections have only one lane in each direction. To help maintain traffic flow during construction, EMWD coordinated with the County of Riverside’s Transportation and Land Management Agency to secure approval for the detour route, which will be in place for several months.

During this time, the following restrictions will be in place:

• Eastbound traffic will be diverted onto side streets, beginning at Barton Road. The detour route will direct drivers to Souder Street to avoid the area where construction is taking place.

• The detour route will be conducted in phases beginning at Barton Street. Subsequent phases will utilize Una Street, Alexander Street, Mead Street, and Brown Street, to connect traffic between Cajalco Road and Souder Street.

• Commercial truck traffic will not be permitted on the detour route. All eastbound commercial truck traffic will be diverted northbound on Wood Road, eastbound on Markham Street, and southbound on Day Street.

EMWD’s contractor recently paved the detour route to improve roadway conditions for the additional traffic flow. 

EMWD has contracted with the California Highway Patrol (CHP) to monitor the restrictions on commercial truck traffic. Additional electronic message boards have been placed on all major streets in the surrounding area to educate commercial vehicle drivers of the upcoming restrictions.

Drivers are asked to use extra caution when driving in the area, obey all posted signage, and provide additional time for anticipated traffic delays. The speed limit on the detour route is 25 miles per hour. Electronic message boards will keep motorists informed of any changes to working hours, locations, and traffic flow.

EMWD appreciates the patience of the surrounding community and drivers as our contractor works to safely complete this important infrastructure project. For more information, please visit www.emwd.org/cajalco. 

# # #

Eastern Municipal Water District is the water, wastewater service and recycled water provider to nearly one million people living and working within a 682-square mile service area in western Riverside County and northern San Diego County. It is California’s sixth-largest retail water agency, and its mission is “To deliver value to our diverse customers and the communities we serve by providing safe, reliable, economical and environmentally sustainable water, wastewater and recycled water services.” More information can be found at www.emwd.org.