Alabama to Reopen to Traffic by Noon on Wednesday

Alabama Street between Highland and Redlands will reopen by noon next Wednesday, the San Bernardino County Flood Control District, the Inland Valley Development Agency and the cities of Redlands, Highland and San Bernardino announced today. Since 2003, Alabama Street has been closed seven times for damage to the roadway caused by storm flows from City Creek. Improvements to the infrastructure totaling $2.35 million including construction of two 48-foot-wide by 169-foot-long arch culverts at City Creek, roadway widening and paving, concreted rock slope protection and the installation of new electric, gas and communication lines began last November. Since construction began, the daily commutes of more than 12,000 daily motorists had been impacted. The road crossing's water-carrying capacity has been increased by more than 600 percent and meets the 100-year flood capacity, according to a release issued by the County of San Bernardino. The project, completed on time and under budget, was funded by grants from the Federal Highway Administration and the state office of Emergency Services, with remaining costs shared by the San Bernardino County Flood Control District, the Inland Valley Development Agency and the cities of Redlands, Highland and San Bernardino.