Yucaipa celebrates completion of Live Oak Canyon Bridge

A dedication and ribbon cutting celebrating the opening of the I-10 Freeway and Live Oak Canyon Interchange Bridge was held on Thursday at the bridge.
By Bob Otto / Staff Photographer

YUCAIPA - It took 12 years of gathering reports, planning, and procuring funding, and another 20 months of construction work to build the I-10 Freeway / Live Oak Canyon Interchange bridge. But on Thursday the $20 million bridge was officially declared open and marked with a dedication and ribbon cutting ceremony.

"The concept of this improved interchange project began in 1995," said Yucaipa Mayor, Dick Riddell. "This project has been a long time coming and we are happy this day has finally arrived."

Construction on the project began September 2007. The project widened and realigned the I-10 Freeway with Live Oak Canyon Road. It also widened and lengthened the on and off ramps and added signals. From two lanes the bridge has been expanded to five lanes with turning lanes. Sidewalks and fencing were added, with landscaping planned for the near future.

The City of Yucaipa, San Bernardino Associated Governments (SANBAG), and Caltrans worked closely together on the project that cost $20 million of which $9.7 million came from the Transportation Congestion Relief Program, and $10.3 million from the City of Yucaipa and Measure I. The city has an agreement with SANBAG to be reimbursed as Measure I funds become available in future years, Riddle said.

Third District Supervisor Neil Derry said that the bridge provides a welcome relief for Yucaipa residents.

"For those people that frequently travel here and who have had to exit and enter on this interchange through the years, I don't think I have to point out to them the congestion relief and safety enhancements this bridge has to offer."

Lou Amendola uses either the Yucaipa Boulevard Bridge or the Live Oak Canyon Bridge on and off ramps to leave or return to his Yucaipa home. He envisions commuters having a much easier time with two travel options now available.

"To get on the freeway at 7:30 in the morning is a nightmare," Amendola said. "This is awesome because it will even out the flow of traffic between the Live Oak Canyon and Yucaipa Boulevard bridges."