Interstate 215:
Washington St/Mt. Vernon Ave. Interchange, Colton

Project Overview & Significance

SANBAG and RCTC are sharing responsibilities and costs for the current Project Study Report phase that started in February 2009 and the Project Approval/Environmental Document phase, which is expected to begin in early 2010. Caltrans is providing oversight for these phases.

The project will replace the existing Mt. Vernon Avenue/Washington Street interchange at Interstate 215. A longer bridge will be built over the freeway to accommodate both the new carpool lanes scheduled to be added to the freeway by late 2014 and the new general purpose lanes planned to be added by 2040. The project also will feature new on-ramps and off-ramps and realignment of local streets to improve traffic flow. The new bridge and ramps will allow for higher traffic volumes and reduce traffic delays.

Design alternatives are being considered for the project. Efforts are being made to minimize costs and the need to acquire property for the new interchange.

 

Commuting and Traffic Data

• Approximately 50,000 vehicles per day use the Mt. Vernon Avenue/Washington Street interchange. An average of 8,200 vehicles per hour travel during peak commute times.
• By 2040, an estimated 70,000 vehicles per day are expected to travel this interchange, and average peak hour traffic counts are expected to grow to 11,500 per hour.
• The on-ramps and off-ramps at Mt. Vernon Avenue/Washington Street, both northbound and southbound, currently operate at satisfactory levels during peak commuter hours. However, by 2040, the ramps are projected to operate at unsatisfactory levels during peak times, given the current ramp design.

Engineering & Environmental Studies

The Project Study Report and Project Approval/Environmental Document phases of work require a number of technical studies to be completed. Engineering studies include traffic volumes, mapping, public utilities, geotechnical reports, materials reports, drainage and storm water reports, and right of way needs. Project planners, in consultation with the public, will select a locally preferred alternative from the designs that are being considered.

Environmental studies also are being conducted to determine how the project may affect the area. These include studies of noise, air quality, hazardous materials, water quality, floodplains, community impacts, cultural and historic properties and sensitive plants and wildlife.

Noise studies will help determine whether residential sound walls need to built near the interchange to help reduce noise. Residents near potential sound wall locations would be asked to participate in the process.
The results of these studies will be used to create geometric drawings, develop cost estimates and prepare for future phases of the project – final design, right of way acquisition and construction.

Estimated Project Cost and Funding

Costs for the current Project Study Report and future Project Approval/Environmental Document phase of work are being shared by SANBAG and RCTC. SANBAG is funding approximately $3.14 million of this project phase, and RCTC is funding an estimated $1.05 million.

The full project cost through construction is estimated to be $100 million in 2008-2009 dollars. This estimate is subject to change, based on future cost escalations.

Future funding for the interchange project will be provided in part by Measure I, the half-cent sales tax for transportation improvements in San Bernardino County. SANBAG also will pursue state and federal funding sources.

Estimated Project Schedule

This project is scheduled to be completed after two related projects are completed – the I-215 carpool lane gap closure project between San Bernardino and Riverside and the Barton Road interchange project in Grand Terrace. The following schedule for the Mt. Vernon/Washington interchange assumes no unforeseen delays and is contingent upon receiving funding:

• The Project Approval/Environmental Document phase is expected to be completed by late 2011.
• Final design and right of way acquisition are estimated to be completed by mid-2013.
• Construction is expected to start by mid-2013 and be completed by mid-2016.

 

Contact Us

Call Us at:	Toll-Free: 1-888-4-215-TALK (1-888-4-215-8255)
Write to Us:	San Bernardino Associated Governments Attention: I-215 Mt. Vernon/Washington Interchange Project 1170 West 3rd St, 2nd Floor San Bernardino, CA 92410

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