Interstate 15/Interstate 215:
Devore Interchange Reconstruction

Project Overview & Significance

SANBAG and Caltrans are studying a number of proposed improvements for the interchange.These improvements include the addition of one northbound lane and one southbound lane on Interstate 15 between Interstate 215 and Glen Helen Parkway, where the current freeway is three lanes in each direction. The addition of the new lanes would provide a continuous set of four lanes in each direction between State Route 60 and US Highway 395. This would allow motorists to travel through the interchange without having to change lanes or lose lanes in the process.

The proposed reconfiguration of Interstate 15 would allow I-15 to be the primary movement for traffic, with I-215 traffic merging and diverging from the right-hand side of the freeway. These improvements would reduce traffic delays, improve the flow of goods through the region and enhance the reliability of goods headed to and from freight facilities in the San Bernardino Valley and the Victor Valley.

Truck bypass lanes also are being considered to help improve traffic flow along this major freight movement route. Interstate 15 is designated a Corridor of National Significance, and this interchange is a critical bottleneck for the region. Adding truck bypass lanes would eliminate the need for slower-moving trucks to weave across heavy, faster-moving automobile traffic to enter the right lanes as they pass through the interchange.

This project is of great significance to SANBAG. The agency designated it as its highest priority in 2008 for receiving funding through the Proposition 1B Trade Corridors Improvement Fund. The interchange also was named the highest short-term priority in the Interstate 15 Comprehensive Corridor Study prepared for SANBAG, Caltrans and the Southern California Association of Governments in 2006.

• See the Board Agenda Item that describes the significance of this project...

SANBAG advanced funds from its Measure I 2010-2040 program to begin this early project development work. The widening of I-15 through the San Bernardino Valley and Victor Valley is also a project of the Measure I 2010-2040 and will be advanced at a later date.

Approximate Project Cost

The total estimated project cost is more than $350 million in 2008 dollars. Project costs will be updated as design alternatives are studied further and finalized. A total of $118 million has been programmed through the Proposition 1B Trade Corridors Improvement Fund. Other federal, state and local funding sources will be sought to fund the balance of the project. Local sources include Measure I, the half-cent sales tax for transportation improvements in San Bernardino County.

 

Traffic & Trucks

• An average of 160,000 vehicles travel each day on Interstate 15 north of Interstate 215; an average of 140,000 vehicles travel each day on I-15 south of I-215. This equates to more than one million vehicles traveling through this area each week.
• Traffic forecasts predict that more than 379,000 vehicles could be traveling through the area daily by 2040, compared to an average of 140,000 to 160,000 vehicles per day now.
• Currently the interchange experiences 1,200 daily vehicle hours of delay at an annual cost of $3.75 million. Without the improvement project, these numbers are expected to increase by the year 2040 to 25,000 daily vehicle hours of delay at an annual cost of more than $80 million.
• A total of 21,000 trucks travel through this area each day.
• This interchange is the most significant chokepoint on I-15 in San Bernardino County, with traffic queues extending south for more than three miles to Sierra Avenue during the evening rush hour. Friday evening delays are much longer, due to additional recreational drivers bound for Las Vegas and Laughlin.
• Interstate 15 is a key goods movement gateway to Southern California

Engineering & Environmental Work

Technical engineering, environmental, traffic and other studies are being conducted for this phase of the project. These studies, in conjunction with local jurisdiction and public input, will lead to the recommendation of a preferred project alternative for which environmental clearance will be sought from state and federal agencies.

As part of the technical studies, experts will conduct mapping, surveying and studies of traffic conditions, highway capacity and safety, impacts to residents, railroad operations, public utilities, right of way needs, air quality, noise, sensitive plants/wildlife, water quality, seismic issues, hazardous materials, drainage and other potential impacts to the area.

Estimated Project Schedule

SANBAG completed the Project Study Report in early 2009 and expects the Project Report/Environmental Document to be complete and approved by 2011. Final design, development of project plans, specifications and estimates, and right of way acquisition are expected to start in 2011. Pending the availability of funds, construction could begin by late 2013 and last about three years. This schedule is tentative and subject to change.

 

Contact Us

Call Us at:	909-884-8276
Write to Us:	San Bernardino Associated Governments Attention: Devore Interchange 1170 West 3rd St, 2nd Floor San Bernardino, CA 92410

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