The newly opened Alondra Boulevard Bridge in August; the bridge was rebuilt as part of Caltran’s and Metro’s I-5 widening project.

Metro Board Member and L.A. County Supervisor Don Knabe and Metro CEO Art Leahy join other officials in celebrating the opening of the Alondra Boulevard Bridge.

 Photos: Mark Arroyo/Metro

Earlier today, Caltrans, Metro and the Federal Highway Administration opened the newly reconstructed Alondra Boulevard Bridge. It is the largest of three bridges rebuilt as part of the $110 million Santa Ana Freeway (I-5) Alondra Boulevard Bridge Project.

The 57-year-old Alondra Bridge was completely demolished in June 2013 and rebuilt within 14 months. The new structure meets modern design standards and has been expanded from four to six lanes. This will increase bridge capacity and improve safety and efficiency, eliminating northbound bottlenecks and improving access to regional transit and HOV facilities. The project is a significant milestone in the I-5 South Corridor Improvement Projects and will improve connections within Santa Fe Springs and to the cities of Norwalk, Cerritos and La Mirada.

The Santa Ana Freeway/Alondra Boulevard Bridge Project is funded by federal, state and local monies, including $72 million from Prop 1B, $14.5 million from state transportation funds, and $23.7 million from Metro’s Prop C and Measure R.

The press release from Caltrans is after the jump.

SANTA FE SPRINGS – Caltrans, the Los Angeles County Metropolitan Transportation Authority and the Federal Highway Administration today opened the newly reconstructed Alondra Boulevard Bridge, the largest of three bridges rebuilt as part of the $110 million Santa Ana Freeway (Interstate 5) Alondra Boulevard Bridge Project.
“This new bridge is just one of many transportation improvements we are working on that will improve the quality of life for people in this region by reducing traffic congestion while at the same time providing jobs,” said Caltrans Director Malcolm Dougherty.
The 57-year-old Alondra Bridge was completely demolished in June 2013 and rebuilt within 14 months. The new structure, which meets modern design standards, was expanded from four lanes to six lanes. In addition to serving a large industrial area within Santa Fe Springs, the bridge serves the cities of Norwalk, Cerritos and La Mirada.
“The reconstruction of the Alondra Boulevard Bridge is a significant milestone in the 1-5 South Corridor Improvement Projects and a great example of Metro putting Measure R dollars to work,” said Metro Board Chair and Mayor of Los Angeles Eric Garcetti. “Metro is tackling traffic and improving connections across the region in many different ways, including modernizing freeways, expanding transit options, and making it easier to get around by foot and bike.”
The project will also reconstruct bridges at Coyote Creek and North Fork Coyote Creek, add one new carpool lane and a general purpose lane in each direction on I-5 from North Fork Coyote Creek to Marquardt Avenue, and upgrade the Freeway Drive and Firestone Boulevard frontage roads.
The Santa Ana Freeway/Alondra Boulevard Bridge Project is part of the I-5 South Corridor Improvement Projects, a $1.8 billion package of six projects extending nearly seven miles from the Los Angeles County/Orange County line to the San Gabriel River Freeway (Interstate 605).
More than 220,000 vehicles travel this section of I-5 daily.
“Caltrans is making a solid investment on the Santa Ana Freeway that will significantly lower traffic congestion while improving safety and supporting economic growth,” said Caltrans District 7 Director Carrie Bowen.
The Santa Ana Freeway/Alondra Boulevard Bridge Project is funded by federal, state, and local monies, including $72 million from Proposition 1B, a 2006 voter-approved transportation bond, $14.5 million from state transportation funds, and $23.7 million from Metro’s Proposition C and Measure R.
For more information on the I-5 Corridor Projects, visit www.I-5info.com or call toll-free at 855-454-6335.