Is De Portola Road Worse Than Ever?
GlenOak Hills Residents, What Do You Think?
For those of us in GlenOak Hills, De Portola Road is a lifeline—we drive it every day. But since the Eastern Municipal Water District’s (EMWD) Wine Country Sewer Infrastructure project began, the road has become shockingly rough.
Yes, road construction is disruptive, but this isn’t just the usual inconvenience. The temporary paving EMWD is leaving behind isn’t just uneven—it’s remarkably bad. Instead of a smooth surface, we’re dealing with bumpy, unstable, poorly graded stretches that make driving feel like a constant battle with the road.
Meanwhile, other roads in Wine Country don’t seem nearly as bad. Could it be that GlenOak Hills, at the far end of this project, is getting the worst of it?
Does Anyone Else Feel Like We’re Being Forgotten?
EMWD, backed by Riverside County and the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), is managing this project, which is expected to continue until late 2026. While upgrading infrastructure is important, why should we have to endure such a poorly maintained road surface for months at a time?
Residents have also pointed out that EMWD contractors appear to be cutting corners on the temporary paving process, leaving behind patches that are far rougher than they should be. In some cases, newly paved areas have already started deteriorating, creating an even worse driving experience.
If you agree that De Portola shouldn’t feel like an off-road course, let EMWD and those responsible know:
📞 Public Affairs Contact: Roxanne Rountree, Senior Advisor for Outreach and Media Relations
📧 Email: rountrer@emwd.org
📞 Phone: 951-928-3777, ext. 4391
📞 EMWD Main Office: 951-928-3777 (Ask for the project manager overseeing the Wine Country Sewer Infrastructure project)
📞 Riverside County Board of Supervisors: 951-955-1000 (They allocated funding—let them know the impact on our roads)
If You’re Frustrated, Speak Up
EMWD claims they are “minimizing impacts,” but anyone driving this road knows better.
So, what do you think? Have you noticed how rough De Portola has become? Do you think the temporary paving should be held to a higher standard?
If so, don’t just accept it—let them hear from us. Send an email, make a call, or encourage neighbors to do the same. The more voices that speak up, the harder it will be for them to ignore us.
This road belongs to all of us—and we deserve better.