An open house meeting to discuss the "I-10 Tippecanoe Avenue Interchange Improvement Project, Phase 1" and its impact on local traffic over the next 18 to 24 months is planned this Thursday in Loma Linda.
The Tippecanoe Avenue/Anderson Street interchange on Interstate 10 is known for traffic congestion and operational challenges, according to the council of governments known as SANBAG.
"Closely-spaced traffic signals, crowded streets, congested freeway ramps, too few travel lanes and too few turn lanes create significant delays in this area," according to SANBAG, also known as the San Bernardino Associated Governments.
Officials with SANBAG are working with the City of Loma Linda, the City of San Bernardino, and Caltrans on reconstruction of the Tippecanoe/Anderson Street interchange.
Preliminary engineering and environmental studies began in 2004. Construction was expected to start by mid-2012 and be completed in approximately 18 to 24 months, according to SANBAG.
Costs for the Tippecanoe/Anderson interchange and related street improvements total an estimated $66.3 million, according to SANBAG. Funding sources include:
- Federal - $47.8 million
- State - $2.5 million
- Local - $16 million
"Local funds include contributions from San Bernardino and Loma Linda and from Measure I, the half-cent sales tax for transportation improvements in San Bernardino County," a SANBAG webpage devoted to the project states.
The interchange reconstruction is intended to improve traffic flow at the freeway interchange and to enhance traffic circulation on city streets, according to SANBAG.
"The proposed improvements also would enhance access to the Loma Linda University and Medical Center, the Jerry Pettis Memorial Veterans Administration Medical Center, the San Bernardino International Trade Center, the San Bernardino International Airport, and local retail centers," SANBAG states.
Proposed interchange design elements listed by SANBAG for the project include:
- Widening the freeway eastbound off-ramp to two lanes, which will expand to four lanes at the intersection
- Building a new westbound on-ramp and off-ramp
- Removing the existing westbound off-ramp and the traffic signal at this on-ramp and off-ramp intersection on Tippecanoe Avenue
- Widening the Anderson Street/Redlands Boulevard intersection to include two through-lanes, two left-turn lanes and one right-turn lane in each direction
- Adding an auxiliary lane on eastbound Interstate 10 between Waterman Avenue and Tippecanoe Avenue to facilitate weaving with freeway traffic
The open house meeting in Loma Linda is scheduled 5 p.m. to 7 p.m. Aug. 30 in the City of Loma Linda Community Room, 25541 Barton Road.
For more information visit sanbag.ca.gov/projects/interchange_tippecanoe.
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