New pillars built on the 10 Freeway will support the overpass.

We have all witnessed the increase in the number of cars on the roads in Southern California and it seems that commute times are ever increasing as a result of rapid growth in San Bernardino County. Local interchanges were initially constructed in 1954 and have subsequently become severely deficient in addressing the increase in traffic volumes. In fact, a recent traffic analysis indicated delays of 20 to 30 minutes during the morning and afternoon peak hours. However, the City of Fontana, in cooperation with San Bernardino Associated Governments (SANBAG), Caltrans, and Union Pacific Railroad (UPRR), is actively working to find solutions for reversing the trend in commute times and improving traffic flow.

Current view heading north on Cypress Ave.

In August 2003, the City of Fontana proposed the widening of Cypress Avenue from Slover Avenue to Valley Boulevard, and the construction of an overcrossing of Interstate 10 (I-10). The goal of this proposed project is to provide residents and commuters with additional access to south and north Fontana and to decrease traffic congestion on the streets of Fontana. The City began construction on the Cypress Avenue Overcrossing Project on May 18, 2009 and has an expected completion date of October 13, 2010.

By adding the Cypress overpass, commuters simply wishing to cross the I-10 can do so at Cypress, relieving congestion at other freeway interchanges meant for accessing the freeway. In addition, the bridge across I-10 at Cypress Avenue will achieve several other important goals, including:

• Improvement of traffic flow by providing a four-lane roadway as an alternative to drivers or pedestrians desiring to cross I-10.
• The provision of fully signal-controlled intersections at both Valley Boulevard and Slover Avenues.

Contractors lay the ground work to support the new overpass.
• Increased emergency response times for police, fire and ambulance services.
• Reduced air pollution through the reduction in idling time.
• Providing a conduit for future utility services such as water, gas, power, and communications.

For more information about the Cypress Avenue overcrossing, please contact Kevin Ryan, strategic transportation engineering manager at (909) 350-6655 or .