Aug 22, 2007 4:07 pm US/Pacific
Riverside Freeway Overpass Reopens After 2 Years
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RIVERSIDE, Calif. (CBS) ―
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A wider version of the Blaine and 3rd Street bridge will be open to motorists by 2 p.m., said California Department of Transportation spokesperson Terese Lagana.
AP
To the relief of area businesspeople and residents, traffic will flow again on Wednesday on a freeway overpass that was closed almost two years ago for an upgrade.
A wider version of the Blaine and 3rd Street bridge will be open to motorists by 2 p.m., said California Department of Transportation spokesperson Terese Lagana.
Caltrans knocked down most of the two-lane span in November 2005 to rebuild a four-lane overpass at the site, Lagana said.
The closure meant motorists trying to exit Interstate 215 to travel east-or westbound between the 60/91/215 interchange and University Avenue would have to regularly exit onto University, Lagana said.
Area residents and business owners said the new bridge will relieve congestion and make it easier to get around.
"Hopefully that's the end of it," local shopkeeper Willie Zaioon told reporters. "Now we can be back in business after two years time."
Riverside resident Lynn Hoffman said her daily routine will be less of a hassle with the bridge back.
"I haven't been able to get across to some of my favorite lunch spots," she told reporters. "It's going to be great in terms of accessibility."
Lagana said there are a few unfinished details, like striping the bridge's turn lanes leading to the freeway and adding signage. But the bulk of the work is done, she said, and motorists will be free to use the bridge starting Wednesday.
The Blaine and 3rd Street bridge replacement was part of the $320 million 60/91/215 interchange improvement project, which has entailed building new freeway access ramps, flyover connectors, retention walls, sidewalks and more.
Work is expected to wrap up next spring, after nearly four years, Lagana said.
(© 2007 CBS Broadcasting Inc. All Rights Reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. The Associated Press contributed to this report.)
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