The Contra Costa Transportation Authority (CCTA), the Contra Costa Water District (CCWD) and Caltrans are pleased to announce the start of utility relocation work at Balfour Road in Brentwood, in preparation for construction of the new Balfour Road Interchange at State Route 4.
The purpose of the upcoming construction project is to improve traffic flow on State Route 4 and enhance motorist safety. Construction on the interchange is slated to begin in late 2015 and to continue for approximately two years.
The Balfour Road project will replace the existing signalized, at-grade intersection at Balfour Road and State Route 4 with a full access-controlled, grade-separated interchange. State Route 4 will be raised to cross over Balfour Road, creating a new, safer undercrossing.
The Balfour Road Interchange project also involves the relocation of a Kinder Morgan pump station and two PG&E transmission towers to make way for new roadway elements.
“Many local and state agencies have been working together to keep this project moving forward,” said CCTA Executive Director Randell Iwasaki. “Because of this collaborative effort with CCWD and other agencies, we are able to perform this project efficiently and cost effectively.”
Last year, CCTA and CCWD worked together to gain Caltrans approval to leave the 90-inch Los Vaqueros Pipeline in place along the project alignment, and essentially to build the new highway infrastructure in conformity with the existing pipeline. The complete relocation of the pipeline would have incurred a high cost and required additional private property, time and work in environmentally-sensitive areas.
Rather than a complete relocation of the relatively new pipeline, CCTA, CCWD and Caltrans arrived at a design that maintains the reliability and longevity of the infrastructure, works for all agencies, reduces environmental and community impacts, and saves Contra Costans approximately $18 million in environmental permitting, property acquisition and construction costs.
“This project is a win-win for the people of Contra Costa County,” said CCWD Board President Joseph L. Campbell. “CCWD and CCTA worked together on a solution that resulted in significant savings without affecting this project or impacting existing or future infrastructure.”
The design for the interchange and pipeline improvements accommodate not only near-term needs, but needs well into the future.
Caltrans District Director Bijan Sartipi said, “This innovative partnering solution on Highway 4 provides the residents of Contra Costa County with several positive outcomes. It provides greater mobility for all modes of travel in the region, it lessens the footprint of this transportation improvement project within an environmentally sensitive area, and, ultimately, this project demonstrates sound financial stewardship for the taxpayers of Contra Costa County.”
Joint trenching on Balfour Road for utility relocation began in March. PG&E transmission tower relocation is anticipated to begin in April 2015. The full project is expected to take two years to complete.
For more information and to track project updates, visit 4eastcounty.org.
Motorists should use caution in construction areas and follow directions from signage and flaggers.
