Major Transportation Improvement for Fontana: The Cypress Avenue Overpass
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The Cypress Avenue Overpass opened to the public on Friday, August 20 immediately following the grand opening ceremony. The ceremony was attended by many officials from throughout the region. Mayor Frank Scialdone welcomed guests to the celebration stating, “The I-10 Cypress Avenue Overpass is yet another significant transportation achievement to be brought forth to Fontana residents by their City Council.” He continued, “This project will not only improve circulation on City Streets, it will help unify the City, allowing residents better access across Interstate 10 and the Union Pacific Railroad.”
A major function of the overpass is to help alleviate traffic congestion at the Sierra, Citrus and Cherry Avenue exits, which can add an extra 20 minutes to a commute.
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The half mile, four-lane bridge links traffic along Cypress Avenue from
Valley Boulevard to Slover Avenue over the Interstate 10 freeway. There are new, fully-controlled signals at both the Valley and
Slover intersections to improve traffic flow over the freeway.
In addition to improved traffic flow and commute times, the Cypress Avenue overpass will
achieve other transportation goals, including reduced emergency response
times, reduced pollution and a detour route for future interchange
construction projects. This project also impacted the City’s utilities.
Before construction, many utilities existed under the freeway which
limited the amount of maintenance and expansion for residents south of
the freeway. Now, those residents will be able to experience utility
improvements such as upgrading cable television to fiber optics. County
Supervisor Josie Gonzales explained that these improvements “liberate
the community in the south.” Also constructed was a storm drain to
protect the freeway, bridge, and the surrounding neighborhood.
Additionally, the Cypress overpass was built to accommodate a
freeway widening which includes adding a carpool lane in each direction
of the I-10.
The 13 year, $32 million Cypress Avenue Overpass project is one of many projects
along the 25-mile I-10 corridor linking Los Angeles County to San
Bernardino and Riverside counties. This influence of regional commerce
directly impacted the funding for this project which came from several
sources. $4.9 million in federal funding was secured by Congressman Joe
Baca who stated, “This is only the beginning” to securing more federal
funds for similar projects. “The Cypress Overpass was made possible by
combining many pots of money,” stated San Bernardino Associated
Governments (SANBAG) Vice President Bea Cortes. The federal funding was
combined with $5.6 million in Proposition 1B funds, $10.9 million in
Measure I funds, and $17.4 million in Fontana Redevelopment funds.
The
Cypress Avenue Overpass is the first of three major construction
projects along the Interstate 10 (I-10) corridor in Fontana. All three
projects are intended to create an easier commute and provide better
access for all drivers, including emergency responders. The other two
future interchange projects are the I-10/Citrus Interchange and
I-10/Cherry Interchange. Partnerships from the California Department of
Transportation, the Federal Highway Administration and the San
Bernardino Associated Governments will allow these projects to be
fulfilled.
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