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Beaumont's bridges to the future We're connecting our past to our future with bridges that will last for generations. Bridges are often called the most invisible form of public architecture. In a busy world, we cross them every day and pay little mind. These stalwart marvels of engineering take us where we want to go, give us safe passage during storms, and open up new land for jobs and building. In recent years, Beaumont has built four major bridges that help keep traffi c fl owing and pedestrians safe in our community. "In this city, we respect and honor the past," said Councilman Brian De Forge. "We also work hard at creating a vision for the future. " BUILDING BRIDGES So far, perhaps the most impressive structure built has been the iconic, rust-colored Centennial Memorial Bridge. It looks like an old-time railroad trestle and rises four stories above San Timoteo Creek and the train tracks. Today, the Centennial Memorial Bridge and the new, mile-long stretch of Potrero Boulevard are examples of a well-planned, prosperous community. A $12 million undertaking, the city's largest transportation project ever is the fi rst phase of a regional bypass route to keep traffi c fl owing in the San Gorgonio Pass. Three other bridges help round out the city's transportation network: • The Noble Creek Bridge at Brookside Avenue, including a foot bridge for pedestrians and bicyclists. Before the bridge, the road became impassable during heavy rains. Now, traffi c fl ows and Beaumont High School students are kept safe and dry. • The Noble Creek Bridge at Oak Valley Parkway is a major access 8 BEAUMONT NOW | SEPTEMBER 2012 point in the city and keeps traffi c fl owing smoothly to Interstate 10 and San Timoteo Canyon. • The Potrero Bridge is a link to the city's new bypass route and provides an alternate route for Four Seasons and Seneca Springs residents in southern Beaumont. PLANNING FOR THE FUTURE Next year, Beaumont will start the fi rst phase of a two-part project leading to a new $65 million interchange for the Potrero Boulevard Bypass. The fi rst phase involves building a six-lane bridge over Highway 60. Pedestrians will be able to stroll across the new bridge, and bicyclists will be able to pedal high above the traffi c below. The bridge will connect Oak Valley Parkway to Hwy. 60. It will also connect Fourth Street to Hwy. 60 and I-10. The second phase, which should occur in about a decade, will include the construction of the Potrero Bypass interchange. The new interchange will be located Centennial Memorial Bridge on Hwy. 60, a mile west of the I-10/Hwy. 60 junction. The soaring interchange will open up land for a regional mall, unlock 2,000 acres for industrial and commercial building, and lead to thousands of new jobs. The new infrastructure will also help in an emergency if I- 10 becomes clogged or is closed down. The addition of the bridge over Hwy. 60 and the road improvements for the Potrero Boulevard Bypass offer local motorists an alternate route around the I-10/Highway 79 interchange and will also make it easier for commuters from as far away as French Valley, Hemet and San Jacinto. The work will also provide safer, easier access where I-10 and Hwy. 60 come together. "New roads and bridges are vital to the Inland Empire's future and will boost the local and regional economy, " De Forge said. "In Beaumont, we have a long history of leading the way in transportation." Photos by Rodrigo Pena for the City of Beaumont.

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