Cherry Boulevard Interchange Project Moves Forward

CALIMESA, CA - Riverside County supervisors Tuesday unanimously approved an agreement with Caltrans that positions the county as the lead authority overseeing a project to reconfigure a freeway interchange in Calimesa.

The Cherry Boulevard Interchange Project has been in the works for the last 10 years and calls for expanding and modifying connectors at Interstate 10.

"The project will benefit local residents by providing improvements that will alleviate current and future traffic demands and improve safety," according to a county Department of Transportation statement.

The city of Calimesa requested more than two years ago that the county manage the project, utilizing the engineering and design services of Ontario- based Michael Baker International.

Because the work will impact I-10, the project requires Caltrans involvement and authorization. The agency has already agreed to defer to the county on oversight.

Michael Baker International is in the process of drafting a "project initiation document" to define parameters and requirements going forward.

Construction is expected to get underway by early next year.

– By City News Service / Patch file photo by Renee Schiavone