How California’s I-10 Upgrades Benefit Commuters and the Environment

Reprinted With Permission From The Lane Construction Corporation

The Inland Empire, the metropolitan area in Southern California where the I-10 comes through, saw its first big growth period in the 1880s with the arrival of the railroad, and the importation of citrus trees, sparking a major citrus boom.

This growth continued through WWII, when the predecessor to the I-10, the Ramona Expressway, was built. By the time the first section off the I-10 was completed in the 1960s, the Inland Empire was well on its way to becoming a major transportation network and shipping hub. Toyota and Whirlpool established factories in the area, and Amazon launched a regional Amazon air hub. This translates into increased traffic, and potentially more air pollution for the surrounding communities.

Along with the tremendous growth in business has come a continuous expansion of the population. In San Bernardino County alone, the population is expected to grow 30 percent by 2035.

Today, the I-10 runs from California to Florida (more than 2,460 miles). Lane Construction’s work to modernize the I-10 Freeway in San Bernardino will give residents, workers and tourists the continued access they need to live and work in the Inland Empire.

Improving Traffic Flow

In addition to the improvements in traffic flow, Lane is replacing eight bridges, improving eight others with widening, and enhancing two more to increase throughput.

Additional drainage and rebar steel enforced concrete will make all drivers safer due to decreased braking time when it is raining, and a longer life span for the roadway. Help is on its way for the movement of people and goods in San Bernardino County.

According to  a report in Transportation Today, “The project is expected to reduce congestion and emissions, improve access to transit, improve safety, create jobs, and prepare for future growth in the area and at the Ports of Los Angeles and Long Beach.”

Jan Sherman, project director for the I-10 Corridor Express Lanes explained some of the complexities of the effort: “There are over 285,000 vehicles traveling in this corridor every day. One of the major challenges is the short duration of time that we have to construct the work but more importantly the phasing and logistics to move the 285 000 vehicles a day in such a tight, constrained area.”

Sustainable Innovation and Improved Quality of Life

When it comes to battling air pollution, California is one of the most progressive states in the nation. Thanks to continuous emission reduction initiatives over the past 30 years, levels of air pollutants have fallen in the state. The improvements being made to the I-10 are helping further California’s goals by reducing congestion and emissions.

By enabling travel time savings and improved trip reliability, more companies and people will choose San Bernardino and the surrounding area to settle. Less time going to and from work means improving the quality of many lives.

“With the expected growth and demand on transportation in the next 25 years, these added express lanes will help provide a more reliable commute and ease congestion,” added Sherman.