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For Immediate Release: November 8, 2006 |
Cheryl Donahue |
Open House to offer information about upcoming Interstate 215 improvements
Residents, business operators and commuters are invited to attend a community Open House on November 16 to learn about the upcoming widening of Interstate 215 in San Bernardino. The meeting will be from 4:30 p.m. to 7 p.m. in the Santa Fe Depot lobby, 1170 W. 3rd Street, San Bernardino.
Representatives from San Bernardino Associated Governments (SANBAG), Caltrans and the City of San Bernardino will answer questions and provide information about the reconstruction of the 5th Street bridge, which will occur first, and the widening of the freeway between Interstate 10 and State Route 30.
Visitors can learn about the project schedule, the new freeway alignment, changes to on-ramps and off-ramps, construction closures and detours, property acquisition, sound walls and safety around construction zones. Maps, exhibits and fact sheets will be available. Cards will be distributed to obtain written comments about the project.
The project will add one general use lane and one carpool lane, both northbound and southbound, for a six-mile section of the freeway. This will expand the freeway to five lanes in each direction, rather than the current three. Bridges will be widened throughout the corridor, and fast-lane entrances and exits will be eliminated. The redesigned interchanges will provide better access to both sides of San Bernardino.
SANBAG is advertising for construction bids for the 5th Street bridge project and expects to award a contract in December. Construction of the bridge should start early next year and take about 30 months to complete. In the meantime, Caltrans is planning to start work in the spring on the widening of the freeway section furthest to the south – between Interstate 10 and Rialto Avenue. SANBAG will widen sections of the freeway north of Rialto Avenue starting in 2008. Work is estimated to be complete in 2013.
Funding for the full project will total $650 million and is provided by a combination of federal, state and local sources. Local funding is derived from Measure I, the half-cent sales tax for transportation improvements in San Bernardino County.
For more information about the Open House, call 1-877-215-NEWS or 909-884-8276.