I-215 finally complete after seven years of construction

By Santiago Castillo |Staff Writer|

After seven years of construction, Interstate 215 is finally finished.
The project cost $647 million, funded through a combination of half-cent sales tax, state bond money and $128 million in federal stimulus dollars, according to The Press-Enterprise.
The widened Interstate 215 affects CSUSB because it makes it easier and faster to travel, but the effect it will have economically depends on the economic growth of the community.
“It’s also expected to bring a boost to the bankrupt city of San Bernardino, which hopes the improvements will attract more business to the area,” added The Press-Enterprise.
“The level of the positive impact may directly relate to potential local economy growth resulting from the construction and incentive programs of a local government,” said Taewon Yang, professor of Finance, when asked how it would affect CSUSB.
Traffic concerns have risen since it is assumed that there will be more student drivers.
Student Michael Zavala believes it will be an issue since it is more accessible to reach our campus.
“I think this will affect parking as it will be harder to find a place to park. It will be more difficult to reach campus from the freeway, and also to leave school because of the increased number of student drivers,” said Zavala.
According to The Press-Enterprise, “More than 83,000 vehicles travel daily on Interstate 215 through San Bernardino, according to a 2003 study done for the widening project. That number is expected to grow to 130,000 by 2030.”
Though travel is expected to be smoother, it’s believed that it will increase when coming and going to the I-215.