Caltrans, SANBAG Get Under Way on Massive I-215 Widening Project

The California Department of Transportation and the San Bernardino Associated Governments are now under way on the next two phases of the Interstate 215 widening project through downtown San Bernardino.

I215-5th St. Bridge

Phase 2 I-215 Aerial Orange Show Road to Inland Center Drive

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SANBAG awarded a $172,655,044 contract to Skanska-Rados Construction to build phase 3. The investment includes $128 million of American Recovery and Reinvestment Act funds that is expected to create thousands of jobs, many in the Inland Empire.

The project is being conducted by a joint-venture, in which Skanska, as leader, has a 60% share and local construction company Steve P. Rados, Inc., 40%.

Caltrans opened bidding on the Phase 4 segment on Sept. 24 to complete the northern most segment of this 7.5-mi project. This segment funding also includes $81 million of Proposition 1B funds and State Transportation Improvement Program funds. 

All four phases will cost $800 million.

SANBAG says the I-215 project is one of only six highway Recovery Act initiatives in the nation currently valued at more than $100 million.

At the recent groundbreaking, Caltrans Director Randell Iwasaki was joined by Federal Highway Administration Administrator Victor Mendez, California Secretary of the Business, Transportation, & Housing Agency Dale Bonner, San Bernardino Mayor Patrick Morris, District 8 Director Dr. Raymond W. Wolfe, San Bernardino County Supervisor Josie Gonzales, and other local and state officials, as well as community members.

“After working around the clock to pump federal ARRA funding into the California economy, we are seeing the start of more jobs that will drive our state down the road to economic recovery,” says Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger. “This recovery funding will not only help stimulate the local Inland Empire economy, but also improve area transportation infrastructure for generations to come.”

“Projects like this are evidence that strengthening the economy begins with investment in our local communities,” says FHWA Administrator Mendez. “Improving major routes like the I-215 will ease local traffic congestion, put thousands of people in Southern California back to work and pave the way toward economic prosperity.”

“Today’s groundbreaking ceremony exemplifies what can be accomplished in the Inland Empire when local agencies, elected officials, and the community unite for the good of the region,” says Paul Eaton, president of SANBAG. “SANBAG thanks our federal and state legislators for their collaboration in getting funding for this project, as well as the Riverside County Transportation Commission for their support. We look forward to continuing our partnership with Caltrans and RCTC to improve the mobility needs of the Inland Empire.”