The first of two ramp closures on the northbound 15 Freeway at Winchester Road in Temecula will start this weekend. On Sunday, Jan. 12, the northbound ramp used by drivers traveling west on Winchester Road that leads to the northbound 15 Freeway will close until Friday, Feb. 14. This ramp, near a Starbucks on Winchester Road, is often used by drivers from the Promenade Temecula mall and French Valley. RELATED: Temecula’s northbound 15 Freeway ramps at Winchester Road to close a month each This closure marks the start of months-long work that’s part of a larger project aimed at easing traffic congestion on the 15 Freeway in the area. During the ramp closures, crews will finish work on retaining walls and continue widening the bridge over Santa Gertrudis Creek, a central biking route, a city of Temecula Facebook post states. Ramp closures for the $138.8 million project will continue next month. On Tuesday, Feb. 18, the loop ramp onto the northbound 15, used by traffic moving east on Winchester from Jefferson Avenue will close. It is set to reopen Friday, March 14, officials said. Related links Temecula’s northbound 15 Freeway ramps at Winchester Road to close a month each 15 Freeway $138.8 million project targets bottleneck at 15-215 split in Temecula-Murrieta area Drivers are encouraged to use Rancho California Road or Murrieta Hot Springs Road as detours during the closures. To help drivers follow detours, signs on the freeways will direct vehicles during each closure, Temecula spokesperson Christine Damko said. A final 55-hour weekend closure on both ramps is planned after these closures to allow crews to complete work needed to connect the ramps. A date has not yet been determined. For updates on the project, click here.