Details of I-80 face lift unveiled

Details of I-80 face lift unveiled
By Danny Bernardini
Article Launched: 06/19/2008

A face lift for the rough and tumble terrain of Interstate 80 in most of Solano County will kick in to high gear in the following months, but drivers will pay with lane closures, detours and other delays.

Details of the $125 million project that will add carpool lanes and improve 27 miles of road between Vacaville and Vallejo were discussed Wednesday evening in Fairfield.

Hosted by the Solano Transportation Authority and Caltrans, various staff members were on hand to answer questions - the meeting focused on the 12 construction projects. A similar meeting will take place at 6:30 tonight in the Ulatis Cultural Center.

Also today, a groundbreaking ceremony will take place in the Green

Valley Crossing Shopping Center that will feature transportation brass and local politicians.

Funding for the construction projects came via the State Highway Operations and Protection Program (SHOPP).

Some construction has already started, but the bulk of the work will start in the coming weeks and last until well into 2009. Along with adding the commuter lanes, installing a new median and resurfacing, several improvements to ramps are planned.

Most construction will be done at night, with lane closures occurring in westbound lanes from 7 p.m. to 5 a.m. and in eastbound lanes from 8 p.m. to 7 a.m.

Some of the major projects include the following:

• Resurface, restore and rehab I-80 from Leisure Town Road to Air Base Parkway. The project will cost $37.4 million and work was scheduled to start in spring 2008.

• Adding High Occupancy Vehicle (HOV) lanes in each direction from Red Top Road to Air Base Parkway. The project will cost $53.2 million and was scheduled to start in spring 2008.

• Resurface, restore and rehab I-80 from Highway 12 to Air Base Parkway. The project will cost $25.6 million and is scheduled for spring 2009.

• Rehab pavement and install a concrete barrier from American Canyon Road to Green Valley Creek. The project will cost $37.8 million and is scheduled for summer 2008.

• Rehab roadway and install a concrete barrier from American Canyon Road to Tennessee Street in

Vallejo. The project will cost $35.1 million and is scheduled for winter 2008.

For more information, visit www.pave80.com or www.511.org.