Until July 3, motorists driving along the 210 Freeway in Irwindale will encounter a lane closure on both on and off ramps. Caltrans is working to rebuild the 210 Freeway between Irwindale and Duarte. The construction is expected to take up to 45 days.
Traffic logjams
During the first five days of this week, the westbound 210 Freeway in Irwindale is closed. The closure is part of a $30 million renovation project involving the San Gabriel River Bridge. It will include improved hinges, railings, and storm drains. During the construction, drivers will be subjected to major delays and backups, with backups averaging a full mile in length in both directions.
Caltrans is encouraging drivers to take public transit, including the Metro Gold Line, and avoid driving the 210 during the construction period. The company is also using LED signs to help alert drivers to the proper exit.
There are also several other onramps and detours to be aware of during the construction. Several onramps will close to make way for construction, including the eastbound 210 Mount Olive Drive onramp and the westbound 210 Irwindale Avenue onramp. The 210 Freeway is also slated to undergo a major upgrade including new concrete medians and upgraded railings.
The most important piece of advice from Caltrans is to avoid the 210 during construction. It is estimated that half the capacity of the 210 Freeway during the construction period will be lost to construction. The good news is that drivers should not experience the worst of it, especially during the morning and afternoon rush hours. Those looking for the best alternative should check out the Caltrans Quick Map.
On- and off-ramps in Irwindale will be closed for up to 45 days
During the 210 Freeway closure, several on- and off-ramps in Irwindale will be closed for up to 45 days. The closure is needed to accommodate upgrades to the San Gabriel River Bridge. However, construction schedules may change. For the latest information, drivers can use the Caltrans QuickMap.
The San Gabriel River Bridge Hinge Replacement Project is a $30 million project that will include improving bridge hinges, strengthening the bridge decks, and replacing storm drains. Construction will begin soon and will continue for two months on weekdays and for five weeks on weekends. The work is expected to last until Winter 2023.
The on- and off-ramps on the 210 Freeway at Irwindale Avenue and Mount Olive Drive will be closed during the closure. Crews will place signage ahead of the work area. The closure is part of a larger project that will involve widening several bridges on the freeway, between the 73 and 605 freeways.
The closure of the westbound 210 Freeway from Irwindale Avenue to the junction with the San Gabriel River (605) Freeway is scheduled for five full days, beginning at 10 p.m. on Wednesday, August 23, and ending at 5 a.m. on Monday, August 23.
On the eastbound side, the 210 Freeway will be reconfigured to provide three lanes in both directions. The eastbound on- and off-ramps at Irwindale Avenue and Mount Olive will be closed. The connector from the 605 Freeway to the 210 Freeway will also be closed.
Construction continues in Duarte
Earlier this week, the 210 Freeway in Irwindale, Calif., was closed for five days to facilitate the completion of a construction project on the San Gabriel River Bridge. The closure caused traffic delays and logjams for motorists, and prompted Caltrans officials to advise motorists to use alternate routes.
The closure came after a truck crash that drew $137,959 in damage to train tracks and power poles. The crash closed the Metro Gold Line for more than a day, and forced locals to find alternative transportation.
During the five-day closure, the westbound lanes of the 210 Freeway between Irwindale Avenue and the 605 Freeway were closed, as well as several onramps. During the closure, traffic heading eastbound was diverted onto the westbound lanes.
The closure has caused delays of about a mile in both directions, according to Caltrans. Drivers should check the Caltrans QuickMap before they head out to find alternate routes.
The project will also improve traffic flow. It will reconfigure the westbound freeway to allow three lanes in each direction. It will also add a new interchange at Route 210 at Pepper Avenue in Rialto.
The project is expected to take about three and a half years to complete. The project is funded with federal and local dollars.