Caltrans began construction Oct. 12 on an $11.5 million project funded by the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009 (Recovery Act) to help reduce congestion in the South Bay.

“My administration is working around the clock to pump funding from President Obama’s Recovery Act into our economy,” said Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger. “This project will bring much needed congestion relief to South Bay commuters while creating jobs and helping stimulate the local economy — and is a solid investment in the future of the region’s transportation infrastructure.”

Caltrans will construct two southbound auxiliary lanes on I-805 between State Route 54 and Bonita Road. The average daily traffic volume for this stretch of freeway is about 130,000 vehicles. Caltrans also plans to widen the Bonita Road undercrossing and install ramp meters at Sweetwater Road, Bonita Road and the connector ramp from westbound SR-54 to southbound I-805. The project (expected to be completed next fall) will accommodate the traffic demand and make it easier for vehicles to enter and exit the freeway.

In addition to the I-805 Auxiliary Lanes Project, other San Diego projects getting a boost from economic stimulus dollars include State Route 905 (already under construction) and upcoming construction on the I-805 High Occupancy Vehicle/Carroll Canyon Road Extension Project and the State Route 76 Middle Project. Overall, that’s four projects from across the county — each playing a critical role in the region’s transportation infrastructure — benefiting from a combined $202.2 million in funds from the Recovery Act.

California leads the nation with more than $2 billion in Recovery Act funding federally obligated to 675 highway and local street transportation projects statewide. Of these, 227 projects supported by $817 million from the Recovery Act have been awarded contracts to begin work.

California was the first state in the nation to obligate $1 billion of Recovery Act funding, doing so two months ahead of the federal June 30, 2009, deadline.

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