State Route 71 Freeway Upgrade and Interchange Improvement Projects

This project involves upgrading SR 71 from a combination of 4-lane expressway and 6-lane freeway into an 8-lane freeway, with 3 mixed-flow lanes and 1 High Occupancy Vehicle (HOV) lane in each direction between Interstate 10 and the Los Angeles/San Bernardino County line in both counties. This will be achieved by widening or restriping to add either one or two lanes depending on the location. Additional improvements include replacing two railroad overhead bridges with raised profiles to meet current vertical clearance standards, replacing an existing pedestrian overcrossing, and eliminating local crossings between Mission Boulevard (Blvd) and Rio Rancho Road. The project will also repave the roadway, reconstruct on- and off-ramps at Valley and Mission Blvd, as well as the southbound Rio Rancho Road off-ramp. In addition, paving and striping 0.2 miles into San Bernardino County to maintain HOV lane continuity. Furthermore, the project includes constructing soundwalls and retaining walls, installing Permanent Best Management Practices, and shifting the centerline alignment westward from Mission Blvd to Old Pomona Road to minimize right of way impacts.