Area residents, current and former elected officials, city staff, and members of the Northwest PAC came together to celebrate the extension of State Street at a groundbreaking ceremony on Monday, October 3rd.
Speakers included 6th Ward Council member Kimberly Calivn, City Manager Robert Field, former City Council member Rikke Van Johnson, and Public Works Director Daniel Hernandez.
The State Street Extension Project is located just south of the 210 Freeway and parallels the Lytle Creek Basin. It has been envisioned for over 20 years. The project will include the construction of a new four lane divided roadway along with medians, sidewalks, and storm drains. The City Council on August 17 awarded the contract to Riverside Construction Company in the amount of $7,436,165. The City is using Regional Circulation System funds to pay for the project.
The new street will improve connectivity to the freeway, decrease cut through traffic in neighborhoods, and provide better access for residents to Arroyo Valley High School and Anne Shirrells Park.
“The West Side residents of San Bernardino have been waiting for this for a long time,” said Councilmember Kimberly Calvin, who represents the area. “Our patience is being rewarded with a great new street that will serve as a major arterial for the entire area and position Ward 6 for more economic development opportunities.
Construction on the half mile long project is anticipated to begin in September with an expected completion date of June 2023.
State Street currently does not exist between Foothill Boulevard and 16th Street. San Bernardino ultimately plans on extending State Street to Foothill Boulevard, a total distance of over 1.5 miles, over a series of additional phases.
“Future phases will include the construction of two bridges to complete the connection to Foothill,” said San Bernardino Deputy Director of Public Works/City Engineer. “Due to the anticipated cost, additional funding would be needed.”
Calvin added, “In order to complete the vision of former Ward 6 Councilwoman Betty Dean Anderson, I look forward to collaborating with our state and federal elected officials to secure the funding necessary to complete all phases of the project. This is a monumental moment for our Ward and our City.”
