First Segment of Interstate 680/State Route 4 Interchange Improvement Project Breaks Ground
Press Release Issued by CCTA
Thursday, January 24, 2019
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Martinez, CA: The Contra Costa Transportation Authority (CCTA) and the California Department of Transportation (Caltrans) announced the start of construction on the first phase of a multi-phased project to improve safety and help reduce congestion at the Interstate-680/State Route 4 Interchange in central Contra Costa County. The initial phase of construction involves widening a four-mile segment of State Route 4 in both directions between Morello Avenue in Martinez and State Route 242. This phase of work also involves the replacement of the Grayson Creek Bridge to bring it up to current State bridge safety codes.
“Improving the I-680/SR4 Interchange has been a priority for the Contra Costa Transportation Authority for many years,” said CCTA Board Chair Federal Glover. “Thanks to an infusion of Senate Bill 1 funds from the State, we are able to take this first, important step in improving safety at this critical interchange.” The total cost for improving this segment is approximately $136 million.
“For too many years we have neglected our infrastructure, and as a result Californians spend too much time in traffic, too much money on car repairs, and far too little time with their friends and families,” said Assemblymember Grayson. “I have been working for over two years with the California Transportation Commission and Contra Costa Transportation Authority to fund and break ground on this long-awaited project so that our community can spend less time sitting in traffic and more time doing what they enjoy.”
“This project will reduce the travel time for the more than 100,000 people who drive this corridor each day, and is a key piece of an ambitious regional improvement plan,” said Caltrans District 4 Director Tony Tavares. “The funding from Senate Bill 1 is enabling Caltrans and the Contra Costa Transportation Authority to rebuild California’s highways.”
The Interstate 680/State Route 4 Interchange Improvement Project will widen approximately four miles of State Route 4 by adding a third lane in the eastbound and westbound directions to improve on-ramp and off-ramp merging. The project also includes widening of five structures, extending eastbound State Route 4’s carpool lane approximately two miles, installation of safety lighting, and replacement of the Grayson Creek Bridge. Over 50 years old, the Grayson Creek Bridge has exceeded its serviceable life.
Breaking ground for this segment of work in this multi-phased project will lay the groundwork for future improvements to connector ramps, improve traffic safety and enhance traffic flow.
Interstate 680 serves as the main artery for motorists traveling through central Contra Costa County, connecting it with Solano County to the north and Alameda and Santa Clara counties to the south. State Route 4 serves as the only major east-west transportation link joining the communities of Antioch, Bay Point, Pittsburg and Brentwood with central and western Contra Costa County and the Bay Area. The I-680/SR 4 Interchange Improvement project will widen four miles of State Route 4 by adding a third lane in the eastbound and westbound directions and improve on-ramp and off-ramp merging actions. The project also includes widening of five structures, installation of safety lighting, and replacement of the Grayson Creek Bridge. This project will lay the groundwork for future improvements to connector ramps, improve traffic safety and enhance traffic flow.
About The Contra Costa Transportation Authority
The Contra Costa Transportation Authority (CCTA) is a public agency formed by Contra Costa voters in 1988 to manage the county’s transportation sales tax program and oversee countywide transportation planning efforts. With a staff of twenty people managing a multi-billion-dollar suite of projects and programs, CCTA is responsible for planning, funding and delivering critical transportation infrastructure projects and programs that connect our communities, foster a strong economy, increase sustainability, and safely and efficiently get people where they need to go. CCTA also serves as the county’s designated Congestion Management Agency, responsible for putting programs in place to keep traffic levels manageable. More information about CCTA is available at ccta.net.