The San Bernardino County Transportation Authority (SBCTA), in partnership with Caltrans District 8, officially opened a truck climbing lane extension on eastbound Interstate 10 (I-10) through the cities of Yucaipa and Calimesa over the weekend. The 3-mile stretch, which includes steep uphill portions between Live Oak Canyon Road in Yucaipa, to just east of the existing County Line Road in Calimesa, will improve the flow of traffic by separating trucks and other slow moving vehicles from faster moving passenger vehicles.
Project construction began in March 2024 and included paving the existing I-10 median to accommodate shifting the existing three eastbound general purpose lanes to the inside so that the existing outside lane provided a continuation of the truck climbing lane that previously ended at the Live Oak Canyon off-ramp. The project also replaced the existing barrier in the center median, widened the Oak Glen Creek/Wilson Creek bridge to close the median gap, and added new lane striping and roadway signage.
While the lanes are officially open, crews will continue working through August to finalize drainage improvements along the project corridor. Please remember to be work zone alert where crews are working.
The project cost $39.5 million to build and was paid for with local and state funds, including $11.7 million in Measure I funds. Measure I is the voter-approved half-cent sales tax that funds local transportation improvements and plays a critical role in helping people move to and through the county.
To commemorate this transportation milestone in eastern San Bernardino Valley, a ribbon cutting event will be held Aug. 8, 2025, at 10 a.m. at Live Oak Canyon Farm, 32335 Live Oak Canyon Road, Redlands, CA 92373.
Learn more about the project at goSBCTA.com/i10truckclimbing.