Michael Baker International Selected as Lead Designer for $672.9 Million Interstate 10 Design-Build Contract

Firm's design expertise will help to expand capacity along Inland Empire's congested I-10 corridor by adding express lanes

Santa Ana, Calif. (September 12, 2018) - Michael Baker International, a global leader in engineering, planning and consulting services, today announced that it will serve as lead designer on the Lane-Security Paving joint venture team,  responsible for the $672.9 million Interstate 10 Corridor Express Lanes design-build project in San Bernardino County to reduce traffic congestion, increase throughput and enhance regional mobility in the Inland Empire.
 
As lead designer, Michael Baker will be responsible for managing the overall design process, which includes ensuring that the design meets the schedule and established design criteria and interfacing directly with the design-build contractor to integrate design and construction. Michael Baker also will be responsible for roadway, structure, drainage, maintenance of traffic (MOT), intelligent transportation systems (ITS), tolling design, landscape architecture and survey activities.
 
“Our team is uniquely suited to deliver a design-build project of this scale,” said Steve Huff, Southern California Transportation Lead for Michael Baker. “We employ an integrated, collaborative approach that draws on our extensive highway design and design-build experience, coupled with our long-established reputation for delivering significant infrastructure improvement projects across California.”
 
The I-10 is a vital transportation route through the Inland Empire. More than 263,000 vehicles travel through the corridor each day. As the region continues to grow, travel demands will exceed the capacity of the transportation corridor, causing an increase in delays, accidents and congestion.  By 2045, it’s estimated that daily traffic on the I-10 will increase to 350,000 vehicles, which the current corridor is not designed to accommodate.
 
The first phase of the project involves designing and constructing 11 miles of improvements to implement two Express Lanes in each direction of I-10 from the Los Angeles/San Bernardino County line to east of the I-10/I-15 interchange. The project also will include the reconstruction and/or modification of existing ramps at 10 interchanges, seven local arterials and 26 structures, including box culverts and new or reconstructed retaining walls and sound walls.
 
Of the alternatives considered, adding Express Lanes was the preferred long-term solution to relieving congestion in all lanes. Express Lanes use innovative technology to measure the congestion level on the freeway and set a toll based on volume, where prices are highest during peak commute hours.
 
Michael Baker’s principal subconsultant, CH2M HILL Engineers, Inc., a wholly owned subsidiary of Jacobs Engineering Group, Inc., will provide support on roadway, structure, drainage and MOT design for two of the four design segments and lead the geotechnical design for the corridor.
 
Construction is anticipated to begin mid-2019 and scheduled for completion in 2023.
 
About Michael Baker International

Michael Baker International is a leading provider of engineering and consulting services, including design, planning, architectural, environmental, construction and program management.  The company provides its comprehensive range of services and solutions to support U.S. federal, state, and municipal governments, foreign allied governments, and a wide range of commercial clients.  Michael Baker’s more than 3,000 employees across nearly 100 locations are committed to a culture of innovation, collaboration and technological advancement to help solve challenges for clients and communities throughout the country. To learn more, visit www.mbakerintl.com