Caltrans has finished rebuilding 90 miles of I-80 between Auburn and the Nevada state line, infrastructure improvements that included rebuilding seven bridges, improving lighting and drainage and adding new traffic monitoring systems.
I-80 is a critical economic artery for California and the nation because it is one of only three continuous coast-to-coast highways, and it has served motorists well since the 1960s.
The massive construction venture (“Get Across 80”) consisted of 15 separate projects featuring a wide range of improvements. In addition to rebuilding the highway:
- Caltrans rebuilt seven bridges and the Donner Summit and Gold Run rest areas.
- Several chain on/off areas were upgraded.
- New freeway cameras were installed, which Caltrans will use to monitor traffic incidents and weather conditions.
- New electronic highway message signs on I-80 will provide motorists real-time traffic and weather information.
- Caltrans enhanced safety for motorists by boosting the lighting around key interchanges.
- Drainage systems were improved and highway shoulders were widened to modern standards.
Proposition 1B, a 2006 voter-approved transportation bond, provided $76 million in funding. To date, nearly $17 billion in Proposition 1B funds have been put to work statewide for transportation purposes. This 90-mile upgrade was completed over a 15-year period for a cost of $821 million.
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