“From one end of the state to the other, transportation projects are providing good paying jobs and improving mobility for people and businesses in California,” said Caltrans Director Cindy McKim.

The CTC also approved two projects for Caltrans’ design-build demonstration program: the Devore Interchange Project in San Bernardino County and the State Route 180Braided Ramps Project in Fresno.

Design-build is a project delivery method that combines design and construction into one contract. Faster project delivery occurs because design and construction take place concurrently. Caltrans anticipates both projects will be completed at least two years earlier using design-build. The expedited construction schedule will bring thousand of jobs to San Bernardino County and Fresno sooner than expected.

The Devore interchange (Interstate 15/215) is the second greatest bottleneck for goods movement in the country. The annual cost of traffic delays at the interchange is almost $4 million and is expected to increase to almost $80 million a year by 2040. The $369 million Devore project will dramatically improve goods movement and enhance traffic safety.

The Braided Ramps Project, located between State Routes 41 and 168 in Fresno, will ease congestion and improve safety for motorists by eliminating many merging and transition conflicts along a series of interlocking freeways, making it easier for motorists to travel throughout Fresno.

For information about all projects that received allocations, go to http://www.dot.ca.gov/docs/ctcprojectallocationsjune2010.pdf.