Drivers Beware: Northbound 215 Closing Entire Weekend

Remember “Carmageddon”?  Well, now it’s time for the “Big Shift.”

That’s right, in the land of interstates and freeways, us Southern Californians get to deal with another major roadway project that will shut down an entire portion of well-traveled slab—this time it’s part of Interstate 215 in San Bernardino.

Drivers headed west from the San Gorgonio Pass should plan ahead as the 215/10 interchange area will likely feel the effects of this traffic project. 

This closure will especially affect anyone traveling to Las Vegas or Big Bear for the weekend, so make sure to spread the word about the roadwork, and take alternate routes.

Aptly named the “big shift,” Caltrans and SANBAG crews will be shifting lanes of traffic onto new portions of concrete throughout the weekend, according to the project website.

The freeway is closed from 11 p.m. Friday, through 6 a.m. Monday.

Here is the official breakdown, and recommended detours from project officials:

Starting Friday, May 4 at 11 p.m. through Saturday, May 5 at 4 a.m. - NB I-215 to close from 2nd Street to Massachusetts Avenue: As a detour, drivers may exit at 2nd Street and turn right, turn left on G/H Street and head north, turn left on 5th Street, turn right on Mt. Vernon Avenue and travel north to access NB I-215 using the Mt. Vernon Avenue/27th Street on-ramp. 

- To access NB I-215 to NB SR-259 connector: As a detour, drivers may exit at 2nd Street and turn right, turn left on G/H Street and head north, turn left on Highland Avenue and access NB SR-259/EB SR-210 on-ramp. 

- To access NB I-215 to WB SR-210 connector: As a detour, drivers may exit 2nd Street and turn right, turn left on G/H Street and head north, turn left on 5th Street, turn right on Mt. Vernon Avenue and travel north, turn left on Highland Avenue and access WB SR-210 using on-ramp. 

Starting Saturday, May 5 at 4 a.m. through Saturday, May 5 at 8 p.m.  - NB I-215 to close from Baseline Street to Massachusetts Avenue: As a detour, drivers may exit the new NB I-215 Baseline Street off-ramp using the left lane. Northbound I-215 travelers will turn left onto Baseline Street and go straight to Mt. Vernon Avenue. At Mt. Vernon Avenue, turn right and go north to the Mt. Vernon Avenue/27th Street northbound I-215 on-ramp.

- To access NB I-215 to WB SR-210 connector: As a detour, drivers may exit the new NB I-215 Baseline Street off-ramp using the left lane, turn left on Baseline Street, turn right on Mt. Vernon Avenue and head north, turn left on Highland Avenue and access WB SR-210 on-ramp.

Starting Saturday, May 5 at 8 p.m. through Sunday, May 6 at 4 a.m. - NB I-215 to close from Baseline Street to Massachusetts Avenue: As a detour, drivers may exit the new NB I-215 Baseline Street off-ramp using the left lane. NB I-215 travelers will turn left onto Baseline Street and go straight to Mt. Vernon Avenue. At Mt. Vernon Avenue, turn right and go north to the 27th Street northbound I-215 on-ramp.

 - SB SR-259 to close from Highland Avenue to SB I-215 connector: As a detour, drivers may exit Highland Avenue and make a left turn. Go east to H Street and make a right turn. Head south to 5th Street and turn right. Go to the SB I-215 on-ramp. 

Starting Sunday, May 6 at 4 a.m. through Monday, May 7 at 6 a.m.  - NB I-215 to close at Baseline Street: As a detour, drivers may exit the new NB I-215 Baseline Street off-ramp using the left lane. NB I-215 travelers will turn left onto Baseline Street and go straight to Mt. Vernon Avenue. At Mt. Vernon Avenue, turn right and go north to the 27th Street NB I-215 on-ramp.

 - NB I-215 to EB SR-210 to close at Baseline Street: As a detour, drivers may exit the new Baseline Street off-ramp using the right lane. Turn right onto Baseline Street, go to H Street and turn left. Head north to Highland Avenue and turn left. Go to the NBSR-259/EB SR-210 on-ramp.

 - SB SR-259 to close at Highland Avenue: As a detour, drivers may exit Highland Avenue and make a left turn. Go east to H Street and make a right turn. Head south to 5th Street and turn right. Go to the SB I-215 on-ramp.    

Once all the work is done on this $723 million widening project, it will add a general use and a carpool lane to the interstate in San Bernardino, between I-10 and SR-210.   There will also be new on-and-off ramps and reconstruction of all bridges and underpasss. Work first began in 2007, and is expected to wrap up in 2013, according to the project website.

To stay up to date on the closure's progress this weekend, check out the Twitter page devoted soley to just that, or search for the hastag #215BIGSHIFT.