Interchange is First to Be Quake-Reinforced

The Pomona-Orange freeways interchange in Diamond Bar has become the state’s first to be reinforced under a Caltrans earthquake retrofit program, and the first of its kind in the country.

“This landmark project is just one example of our commitment to maintaining California’s 48,000-mile highway system in the safest condition possible,” said Jerry Baxter, District 7 director for the California Department of Transportation.

Although the seismic retrofit program is a statewide effort to stabilize freeway bridges, much of the work is being concentrated in areas with a history of earthquake activity, said Caltrans spokesman Russell Snyder. The first phase of the program involved tying down sections of 1,262 bridges with steel cables. That cost $54.2 million and was finished in 1989. Caltrans is now reinforcing those bridges that are supported by concrete columns.