Interchange to Get Reinforcement

DIAMOND BAR —  The interchange of the Pomona and Orange freeways is the first in the state to be reinforced under a Caltrans earthquake retrofitting program, the first of its kind in the country.

“This landmark project is just one example of our commitment to maintaining California’s 48,000-mile highway system in the safest condition possible,” said Jerry Baxter, District 7 director for the California Department of Transportation.

Although the seismic retrofitting program is a statewide effort to stabilize freeway bridges, much of the work will be concentrated in areas with a history of earthquake activity, California Department of Transportation spokesman Russell Snyder said. The first phase of the program involved tying down sections of 1,262 bridges with steel cables. That cost $54.2 million and was finished in 1989. Caltrans is now reinforcing those bridges supported by concrete columns.