Traffic Flows on Hunts Lane Overpass

A train bell sounded quietly on the rail connecting the cities of Colton and San Bernardino Thursday morning, Nov. 6, as a crowd of residents, business owners, project personnel and local leaders gathered at the base of the newly constructed Hunts Lane overpass to dedicate the new bridge completed after nearly two years of construction. Thursday’s dedication ceremony opened with a welcome by Master of Ceremonies Dennis Michael, president of San Bernardino Associated Governments (SANBAG), who partnered with Union Pacific Railroad and the cities of Colton and San Bernardino to complete the project within budget at approximately $30 million. “Through efforts of our construction team we were thrilled to see traffic cross over this new bridge just this past Thursday for the first time,” said Michael, as the bridge was opened Oct. 30. The overpass was constructed over the Union Pacific railroad separating Colton to the west and San Bernardino to the east, and provides two north- and southbound traffic lanes and sidewalks. Other benefits include: traffic and pedestrian safety, reduced noise from train horns, reduced air pollution from idling vehicles at crowded intersections, and eliminating time spent by motorists waiting for trains to cross. The general contractor for the project was Skanska, and Caltrop was the construction management team. Colton City Mayor Sarah Zamora thanked the workers who completed the project. “The wonderful thing about this project is we all worked together… but the bottom line is, without staff and without those people that actually physically do the job, these projects will never be completed,” Zamora said. “I want to acknowledge all the hard work of all the gentlemen and ladies that actually lifted shovels and pounded dirt.” Both Colton and San Bernardino continue to partner with SANBAG on other grade projects, including Colton’s Laurel Street Grade Separation Project and San Bernardino’s Palm Avenue Grade Separation Project. San Bernardino City Mayor Carey Davis said, “Many of these projects are taking place currently as we are sitting here celebrating the completion of this one. That is a collaborative effort and showing the way for how the Inland Empire and our communities continue to grow and attract businesses.” The multi-million dollar project was funded largely by State and Federal funds, with the help of Measure I, the county’s half-cent sales tax measure, explained SANBAG spokesperson Tim Watkins. With San Bernardino County as a major part of the nationwide goods movement, many products from Los Angeles and Long Beach-based ports frequently travel through San Bernardino County via rail. But San Bernardino County also exports, explained Lupe Valdez, Director of Public Policy and Community Affairs with Union Pacific Railroad. “It’s an important part of our fabric of what San Bernardino County offers, and also that you share with the rest of the country the benefits of the companies that are doing well here in San Bernardino County,” Valdez said. Following the speakers, certificate presentations were made to SANBAG by San Bernardino County Supervisor, Fifth District, Josie Gonzales, and on behalf of State Assemblywoman Cheryl Brown. Representatives were also on site from the office of State Senator Mike Morrell and San Bernardino County Supervisors Robert Lovingood, Janice Rutherford and James Ramos. A ribbon cutting ended Thursday’s ceremony and officially marked the dedication of the Hunts Lane overpass.