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For Immediate Release: April 12, 2007 |
Cheryl Donahue |
Come Play on the Freeway: The Finale!
As State Route 210 construction nears completion in Rialto and San Bernardino, the whole community is invited to “Come Play on the Freeway: The Finale!” on June 23.
“This is your chance to get a sneak peak of this brand new freeway before it opens,” said Tony Grasso, executive director of San Bernardino Associated Governments (SANBAG), which is building the final 7.25-mile section connecting the freeway with Interstate 210 and Route 30. “We’re excited that this last stretch of freeway is nearly complete, and we want the community to celebrate with us.”
Hosted by SANBAG, Caltrans, the County of San Bernardino and the Cities of Rialto and San Bernardino, this family-friendly event will be held right on the new freeway lanes, which will open to drivers during the second half of 2007.
“The completion of Route 210 will greatly improve mobility in our communities and will allow for the economic enhancement along the corridor,” said Dennis Hansberger, president of SANBAG.
“Come Play on the Freeway: The Finale!” will feature 5K and 10K runs and walks, 5-mile and 10-mile bike rides, a classic car show (1973 vehicles and older), a formal ribbon-cutting and dedication ceremony, unveiling of a new mural on the Union Pacific bridge, music, food booths, maps, exhibits, a three-on-three basketball tournament, bounce houses and more.
The 10K run/walk is named in honor of Gary Moon, SANBAG’s director of freeway construction from 1990 to 2003. Moon was involved in the planning, funding and day-to-day construction of Route 210 until his retirement in 2003. He died in 2005 after a short battle with cancer.
The 5K events are named in memory of Marilyn Cardosi, long-time public information officer for the Rialto Unified School District and community volunteer. She was instrumental in communicating detours and construction details to school staff and families. She also succumbed to cancer, in 2006.
Event check-in will start at 7 a.m., and all activities will conclude by 1 p.m. Visitors will enter the freeway at the Riverside Avenue and Ayala Drive on-ramps in Rialto and park on the south side of the freeway. Activities will occur east of the Riverside Avenue bridge and extend to the State Street bridge in San Bernardino.
Participation in the runs, walks, bike rides and car show requires registration and an entry fee. Proceeds will benefit the American Cancer Society and the Boys and Girls Clubs of Rialto and San Bernardino. Registration forms are available online at www.playonthe210.org, in person at Don’s Bikes, 384 S. Riverside Avenue in Rialto or by phone at 1-866-HELP-210.