Discussion
The California Department of Transportation (Caltrans) proposes to remove, reconstruct and widen the existing SR 15 (Northbound I-215) and Box Springs Road (Southbound I-215) Overhead Structures, as part of its project to improve the efficiency of State Route 60 (SR 60) and Interstate 215 (I-215) and associated interchanges in Riverside County. The proposed grade-separated structure is located immediately west of the SR 60/I-215 interchange. The SR 15 (Northbound I-215) structure will be approximately 100 feet in width and the Box Springs Road (Southbound I-215) structure will be approximately 104 feet in width. The proposed crossing number for both grade-separated structures (Northbound and Southbound I-215) will remain the same and is identified as CPUC Crossing No. 002X-6.40-A and DOT No. 027313T for SR 15 (Northbound I-215) and Crossing No. 002X-6.42-A and DOT No. 027314A for Box Springs Road (Southbound I-215).
The accelerated growth and development within the Inland Empire over the last two decades has resulted in an increase of commuter and interregional traffic. The increased traffic volumes exceed the existing capacity of the facilities and have resulted in severe congestion and operational breakdown of the facilities. Operational conditions on the SR 60/I-215 freeways within the study area have deteriorated in general, and have fallen to Level of Service F during peak periods. In addition, the increased congestion and existing geometric deficiencies have contributed to a high-rate of congestion-related auto accidents in the vicinity. Conditions are expected to deteriorate further unless an alternative is implemented in the near future. The SR 15 (Northbound I-215) and Box Springs Road (Southbound I-215) grade-separated structure is part of the project to address these deficiencies.
The design and construction of the overpass grade-separation structure will comply with all minimum clearance requirements set forth in California Public Utilities Commission General Order 26-D.1 The plans show the minimum vertical clearance will be 24 feet 10 inches from top of rail to the bottom of bridge structure, which meets the minimum requirement for General Order 26-D of 22 feet 6 inches.
1 General Order 26-D details the clearances on railroads and street railroads as to side and overhead structures, parallel tracks and crossings.
