SANBAG I-215 Widening Project
SITUATION
I-215 through Downtown San Bernardino was in desperate need of a major redesign to accommodate population growth and improve mobility through the major goods movement route. In the late 2000s, the I-215 Widening Project began, expanding the freeway from six to 10 lanes and reconstructing 17 overpasses and underpasses. Equally important, it was positioned as a cornerstone of a $2B revitalization effort in Downtown San Bernardino. The project posed a significant impact to residents, businesses and motorists for approximately seven years — and public outreach was crucial to the success of the project.
IMPLEMENTATION
Westbound’s strategic grassroots approach generated support and understanding for the project, promoted motorist and pedestrian safety, and positioned the project as a model for freeway reconstruction. With two of the four phases complete, lack of funding threatened to halt the second half of the project. Enter the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act. I-215 became one of only four major transportation projects awarded $100M+ in federal stimulus funds — and was the first in the U.S. to go to construction. Westbound spearheaded a groundbreaking event that captured national attention, garnering the participation of state and federal agencies.
RESULTS
More than 9 million media impressions from outlets like the Wall Street Journal and Associated Press were generated from the groundbreaking. Shortly thereafter, U.S. Department of Transportation Secretary Ray LaHood testified before Congress and gave his report on stimulus funding to date – our project was the shining example for all highway projects.
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