UPDATE: Public Meeting on $76 Million Potrero Interchange Project This Week

The public is asked to come out to a meeting next week to learn more about a proposed interchange that would connect Potrero Blvd. to State Route 60 and south of the freeway.

The project, which calls for the construction of a full access interchange and bridge overcrossing, will cost an estimated total of $75.9 million and be carried out in two phases, according to initial study/environmental assessment documents prepared by Caltrans and the city of Beaumont.

Phase one—at a cost of $21.9 million—would start in spring 2013, and would include the following (information taken from above referenced document):

• Construction of a 6-lane bridge across the 60 freeway (3 lanes in each direction)
• The extension of a 2-lane roadway (Potrero Boulevard) from 1,350 feet north of the SR‐60 centerline to approximately 592 feet south of the SR‐60 centerline
• A temporary 2-lane connection would be added to the existing Western Knolls Avenue just north of the overcrossing bridge
• A concrete median barrier would be constructed along SR‐60 crossing the easterly Western Knolls Avenue/Dowling Orchards intersection
• This phase would wrap up in summer 2014

Phase 2—at a total estimated cost of $54 million—would start in summer 2014 and be completed a year later, would include:

• The widening of Potrero Boulevard to 6 lanes within the above stated limits
• Constructing westbound and eastbound entry/exit diagonal and loop entry ramps with HOV lanes
• An extended ramp acceleration/deceleration lane
• Realignment of Western Knolls Avenue
• Removal of Western Knolls Avenue connections to SR‐60

The public meeting on Monday June 4 gives residents a chance to comment on the project, and review the environmental impact report.  You can stop by any time between 6 p.m. and 8 p.m., at City Hall, Room 2.

“An ‘Open House’ style public meeting will be held to give you an opportunity to talk with City and Caltrans staff about design features of the project before the final design is selected, and to also provide an opportunity to ask questions regarding the proposed project, including planned design features, potential right of way impacts, and/or the planned schedule for the project, including the construction phase,” an announcement about the meeting states.

“The City and Caltrans have studied the effects that this project may have on the environment,” the meeting announcement says.  “The studies show it will not significantly affect the quality of the environment.”

Financial responsibility for this project, though scheduled to be built with cooperation from Caltrans, would fall on the city of Beaumont, according to project documents.

“Funding for both phases would primarily come from local sources, traffic impact fees, and federal funds provided by Demo‐SAFETEA‐LU, Federal Appropriations Earmarks, Section 125, and Section 129 Surface Transportation Priorities programs,” the “proposed project” document says.

In January, a Caltrans project manager that federal funds would help supplement 40 percent of the projected costs for the first phase, which were $16 million to $18 million at the time.

City officials have said the bridge should improve connections between San Timoteo Canyon, Oak Valley Parkway and Highway 60, and it will also connect Fourth Street to Highway 60 and Interstate 10.

“This segment of roadway is a critical link for the City' s circulation infrastructure, as well as, for the regional roadway system,” a staff report recommending the city council approve phase one stated in January.  “Additionally, it will significantly improve the safety of drivers attempting to cross the highway, who currently have to navigate around oncoming vehicle movement.”

If you can’t make it to the meeting and still want to weigh in, Caltrans posted this information:

Do you have any comments about processing the project with a  MND and the IS/EA?  Do you disagree with the findings of the study as set forth in the Proposed MND? Would you care to make any other comments on the project? The date we will begin accepting comments is May 18, 2012. 

Comments need to be received by Monday, June 18, 2012. Please send written comments to James Shankel,  Senior Environmental Planner, Branch Chief—Environmental Studies “C”, California Department of Transportation, District 8 Division of Environmental Planning, 464 West 4th Street  MS 827, San Bernardino, California 92401-1400 or via e-mail to: D8.Potrero.Blvd.New.IC.Project@dot.ca.gov.

Your comments should be received no later than June 18, 2012 by 5:00 pm.  Please use State Route 60-Potrero Blvd New IC in the subject line.