Groundbreaking: I-10/Pepper Avenue Bridge Replacement Project

Groundbreaking changes are coming to the City of Colton. On Friday, March 11 the San Bernardino Associated Governments (SANBAG), the City of Colton, and the California Department of Transportation celebrated the start of construction for the Interstate 10/Pepper Avenue Interchange Improvement Project with elected officials representatives and community members. The project site is located on the Interstate 10 in Colton, the Pepper Avenue Interchange currently provides freeway access to and from both commercial and residential communities in the area. It is also one of the main access points to Arrowhead Regional Medical Center. The project hopes to expand on this location and will construct a five-lane bridge, as well as, improve ramps and drainage for better circulation on and off the freeway. Projects Specifics include: • Five-lane bridge over Interstate 10 • On- and off-ramp improvements • Bridge aesthetics consistent with the community • Access to and from Arrowhead Regional Medical Center • Drainage enhancements • FHWA Pilot Program for local and veteran hiring Unique to the project is a federal pilot program that will incentivize hiring of local veteran labor. “This Project is touching the lives of our friends and neighbors in a different way,” SANBAG President Ryan McEachron said. “I am extremely proud that our staff was aggressive in working with the Federal Government to pilot that incentivizes hiring of locals and veterans.” According to Supervisor Josie Gonzales, County of San Bernardino District 5, the project has been a long time waiting. “Today is a rather important day in the development and future of this great county. We have come together to celebrate a project that has been in progress for minimum of twenty years," Gonzales said. Gonzales elaborated that project was purposed in 1996 and has had many challenges including surrounding city projects and the endangered Delhi Sands flower-loving fly species. "I say to you nothing comes easy. Nothing comes overnight, but if we stick to it and work hard it will come to fruition," Gonzales said. Funding for the project is a collaborative mix of local, State, and Federal funds. The City of Colton, County of San Bernardino, and SANBAG have partnered to provide approximately $10 million for funding package needed for these improvements. Additionally, Measure I, the half-cent sale tax for transportation improvements, is contributing nearly $400,000 to the project. The Project Timeline is as follows: • February 2015: Environment Clearance • June 2015: Final Design Approved • March 2016: Start of Construction • Summer 2017: End of Construction (Anticipated) “This new interchange, once it is completed next year in 2017, is going to create the development synergy that Colton has been waiting for many years. It is a great asset for emergency responders, a great asset for traffic congestion management and it is going to open the door to development in the West Valley up city center,” said Colton City Council Member Frank Navarro. “It is really going to provide us with the synergy to further develop the future of Colton.” “What this brings to Colton is a whole improvement of thoroughfare from the I-10 to Pepper to our regional hospital with over 2,300 employees. What is does is when developers come in they see the opportunity of a brand new on- and off-ramp which makes it easier for customers and commuters to get to retail like new hotels, gas stations, uniform shops, etc. The developers are more likely to build when they see improvements like these. Economic development is what this brings,” said Colton Mayor Richard DeLaRosa. The work at this location is part of the second phase of work to improve the operation of the interchange. Phase one of the project was completed in 2008 with the realignment of Valley Boulevard just north of Interstate 10. Construction for the phase two project begins this month and is expected to be completed in Summer 2017. “It is not just the leaders, the community is involved,” said Navarro. “The community can help by being involved. They can be involved as the project evolves by being patient with the project. Be aware of the changes that are going on during the construction as far as traffic circulation. Obey the signs that will be put out there. They are not only for the safety of the people working on the project, but for the people moving through the project area.” Updates can be found by clicking here SANBAG Project