Contact: Eric Young, San Francisco County Transportation Authority
Office: 415-522-4816
Cell: 415-306-4509
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SAN FRANCISCO, CA— The San Francisco County Transportation Authority, in collaboration with the Treasure Island Development Authority and Caltrans, announced that the new westbound I-80 on- and off-ramps connecting Yerba Buena Island and Treasure Island to the San Francisco-Oakland Bay Bridge will open to traffic by 8 a.m. Saturday, Oct. 22.
The $98 million ramps, which were funded by Federal Highway Administration Bridge Program and State Proposition 1B funds, will provide increased safety for those traveling to and from the islands. The first major capital project delivered by the Transportation Authority, the ramps provide vital infrastructure for San Francisco’s newest emerging neighborhood.
“In the coming years, Treasure Island and Yerba Buena Island will be home to an estimated 20,000 new residents,” said Jane Kim, San Francisco Supervisor for District 6, which encompasses both islands. “The new ramps will help ensure that residents, commuters and visitors have a safe, convenient way to get on and off the Islands.”
Treasure Island Development Authority President V. Fei Tsen echoed these sentiments: “After many years of planning, we are delighted to see the completion of these new eastside ramps, which expand access to the Islands and boost our economic development plans.”
Federal Highway Administration Division Administrator Vincent Mammano praised the multi-agency collaboration that characterized the 31-month construction effort. “Congratulations to the Transportation Authority and its partners on the smooth and timely delivery of this complex project,” said Mr. Mammano. “The high degree of coordination among Caltrans, the Bay Area Toll Authority, the U.S. Coast Guard and Treasure Island Development Authority was instrumental to the success of this project and other major nearby construction efforts at this challenging site.”
The construction workers overcame several challenges when completing the job, including relocating Coast Guard Quarters 10 (a historic Navy house), making sure pile driving for the ramp supports did not damage nearby historic buildings, and ensuring a smooth tie-in with the existing Bay Bridge.
Transportation Authority Executive Director Tilly Chang credited the dedicated project delivery team with achieving the agency’s goals and milestones. “We truly had the A-Team working together on this job,” said Mrs. Chang. “We are particularly grateful to our lead contractor Golden State Bridge and its hard-working crew of sub-contractors who are on track to meet or exceed our targets for disadvantaged business enterprise participation.”
“Congratulations to all the partners who contributed to this project,” said San Francisco Supervisor Scott Wiener, who is Chair of the Transportation Authority and who serves on the Metropolitan Transportation Commission. “As we grow as a city and region we need to continually invest in our local and regional transportation infrastructure. This ramps project demonstrates the Transportation Authority’s commitment to that effort.”
"These new Interstate 80 westbound on- and off-ramps to Treasure Island and Yerba Buena Island show how well San Francisco, MTC, and Caltrans continue to partner together on funding solutions and project delivery to achieve critical results to improve mobility and traveler safety," said Bijan Sartipi, Caltrans District Director.
The Transportation Authority’s next task is to prepare for the $66 million I-80 West Side Bridges project, which will retrofit eight existing bridge structures along Treasure Island Road.
To aid that effort, Assembly Member David Chiu recently secured passage of AB2374, which provides an alternative project delivery method known as Construction Management/General Contractor authority to the Transportation Authority.
For images or more background on the project: http://www.sfcta.org/YBI-I-80-interchangeimprovement-project
About the San Francisco County Transportation Authority (www.sfcta.org)
Created in 1989, the Transportation Authority spearheads strategic planning and allocates funding for transportation-related projects in San Francisco. The Transportation Authority administers the city’s Prop. K half-cent transportation sales tax, the Prop AA $10 annual vehicle registration fee program and the Transportation Fund for Clean Air. The Transportation Authority also serves as San Francisco’s Congestion Management Agency and is the Treasure Island Mobility Management Agency. The Transportation Authority Board consists of the 11 members of the San Francisco Board of Supervisors, who act as Transportation Authority Commissioners. Commissioner Scott Wiener is Chair of the Board. Tilly Chang is the Transportation Authority’s Executive Director.