At the September SBCTA/SBCOG Board Meeting, the Board approved the release of Invitation for Bids (IFB) No. 26‑1003491 for the construction of the Highland/Redlands Regional Gap Connector Project. This action authorized staff to move forward with advertising the contract once the Plans, Specifications, and Estimates package is finalized and federal authorization to begin construction is issued.
The Highland/Redlands Regional Gap Connector Project is a collaborative effort between SBCTA, Caltrans, the City of Highland, and the City of Redlands. The project will create new bicycle and pedestrian paths that link the two communities, offering students and residents a safe, convenient alternative to traveling on Boulder Avenue/Orange Street, which currently has no dedicated active transportation facilities. These improvements are expected to greatly benefit Citrus Valley High School students by providing a separated, secure route for walking and biking to campus.
The project also strengthens the region’s overall transportation network by connecting to the future Santa Ana River Trail at Orange Street. Once complete, this link will allow residents, students, and recreational users to access a trail system that ultimately stretches all the way to the Pacific Ocean, creating new opportunities for mobility and recreation throughout the region.
The action highlights how this project serves as another strong example of how Measure I, San Bernardino County’s voter‑approved transportation half-cent sales tax, combined with funding and support from state and federal partners, makes important regional projects possible. These partnerships allow SBCTA and local communities to deliver safer, more connected transportation options for all users.
With the Board’s approval, SBCTA is now positioned to release the IFB promptly once federal authorization is received. A contract award recommendation is expected to return to the Board in Fall 2026, marking the next step toward constructing this valuable new connection for Highland and Redlands.