Fewer than a dozen residents attended a meeting on Tuesday at The Parkhouse recreation center in The Preserve to offer comments about the Euclid Avenue bridge project in Chino.
The “public scoping meeting” is required by law to obtain input on the environmental impact report.
The bridge will create a north-south corridor between Pine Avenue and the 71 Freeway with Euclid elevated 30 feet above the Prado Basin.
“As Chino grows, it is important to improve connectivity throughout our city,” Councilman Marc Lucio said. “As a resident of this district, I know it is crucial to provide efficient transportation networks for our community to travel safely and with ease.”
Mr. Lucio, who represents The Preserve, said the City of Chino will not halt progress on the Pine Avenue project.
The project consists of three sections: the $140 million extension connecting Euclid Avenue to the 71 Freeway (of which one-third is in Chino Hills), the $150 million Euclid Avenue Bridge Project, and the $15 million Pine Avenue/71 interchange improvement project.
Eric Pheifer, project manager of Biggs Cardosa Associates Inc. of Orange, who conducted the meeting, said the bridge will prevent closures during storms and reduce flood waters to improve safety for motorists and pedestrians.
He said Euclid will be widened to four lanes with five-foot shoulders in each direction, and 12-foot multiuse paths for cyclists and pedestrians on the east side in compliance with the Americans with Disabilities Act.
The bridge will be built over Pomona Rincon Road and allow motorists to access Prado Regional Park and the surrounding recreation facilities.
“The goal is for this to be a shovel-ready project that is designed and environmentally cleared,” he said.
Mr. Pheifer said the 30-foot elevation was designed for a “50-year storm,” meaning a two-percent chance of occurring in any given year.
Chino resident Stubbie Barr asked why the bridge was not designed for a “100-year flood,” which is a one-percent chance of a storm occurring.
“The flood elevation line (for a 100-year flood) should be included in the post environmental report and any proposals to them,” Mr. Barr said. “That’s my opinion.”
Mr. Pheifer said there would have been significant impacts to Prado Regional Park if the bridge was designed for a “100-year flood,” including the reconstruction of the park’s entrance.
A resident asked how the project would proceed if the city could not find federal funding.
Councilman Lucio said Chino currently has the support of Congresswoman Norma Torres and council members traveled to Washington D.C. to secure funding.
He also noted that the City of Riverside is in support of the project.
Chino Traffic Engineer Dennis Ralls said Euclid will remain a designated truck route from the 71 Freeway to the northern edge of Riverside.
Albert Espinoza, deputy director of Public Works said Chino will work with the U.S. Army Corps and wildlife agencies to assess whether preserving the existing bridge over Chino Creek would be beneficial as a wildlife crossing.
Residents who would like to provide input can submit comments to Senior Engineer Michele Hindersinn at euclid@cityofchino.org, call the project hotline at (909) 264-8860 or submit an online comment form at survey.typeform.com/Eu clidBridge by Wednesday, Feb. 11.
Construction is expected to begin in the summer of 2027 and will occur adjacent to Euclid Avenue to ensure there is minimal impact for traveling motorists, Mr. Espinoza said.
Public Information Officer Matthew Bramlett said toward the end of construction, there will be weekend closures to transition the path of travel from the old Euclid Avenue to the new bridge.