Interstate 10: Riverside Avenue Interchange, Rialto
SANBAG and the City of Rialto are working to replace the Interstate 10 Riverside Avenue interchange in Rialto. This project includes replacing the existing five-lane Riverside Avenue bridge over I-10 with a nine-lane bridge. The new bridge will feature five northbound lanes (three through-lanes and two left-turn lanes) and four southbound lanes (two through-lanes and two left-turn lanes). One additional lane will be added to each of the on-ramps and off-ramps to aid in entering and exiting the freeway. Related lane additions and safety improvements also will be made on Riverside Avenue between the interchange and Valley Boulevard, north of the freeway.
The City of Rialto initiated this project in 1995 and obtained environmental approval in 1999. In 2002, Caltrans required that an upgraded environmental document be prepared because of the three-year lapse since environmental approval and the identification of the habitat for the Delhi Sands Flower-Loving Fly as an issue throughout the I-10 corridor. Caltrans is reviewing the upgraded environmental document, and approval is anticipated by late 2007. The City of Rialto requested that SANBAG assume project management responsibilities for this work in late 2005.
Work on the final design of the project has been underway and is expected to be approved by mid-2008. Right-of-way requirements have been identified; however, acquisition cannot begin until the upgraded environmental document is approved. Construction is tentatively scheduled to start in the fall of 2008 and be complete by mid-2010.
One of the significant issues related to construction of the interchange is the staging of the project. In January 2007, the Rialto City Council voted to fully close the bridge during construction and detour traffic to local streets in Rialto, Colton and the County of San Bernardino. Preventing traffic over the freeway while the new bridge is under construction will greatly expedite the construction schedule and enhance the safety of workers and motorists.
Project costs total approximately $34 million and will be financed by a combination of federal and state funds and city Redevelopment Agency bonds.