Congratulations to the MNS team for their win on the Los Osos Valley Road Interchange Improvement! The US 101/Los Osos Valley Road (LOVR) Interchange Improvements Project represents a vital improvement for traffic capacity and circulation in southern San Luis Obispo.
The current three-lane Los Osos Valley Road interchange was built in 1962. As the City and population has grown, the interchange is in need of structural repair and widening to improve travel conditions and accessibility to a variety of transportation types. The purpose of the US 101/LOVR Interchange Improvements project is to maximize the efficiency of LOVR and the US 101/LOVR Interchange in order to improve functionality and accommodate the growing amount of traffic. LOVR serves as the only primary east/west corridor between South Higuera Street and the community of Los Osos.
The current interchange consists of a modified diamond configuration with a loop on-ramp to northbound US 101 in the southeast quadrant. The existing bridge is a four-span, 330’ long by 55’ wide structure with a non-conforming sidewalk along the north side. Westbound lanes consist of a single lane from South Higuera Street to the bridge, where two lanes continue across the bridge toward the Irish Hills and shopping centers. East bound traffic consists of a single lane from Calle Joaquin, across the bridge and becoming two lanes approaching the entrances to Los Verdes Park 1 and Park 2 and terminating at South Higuera Street.The current bridge, which has an average of 26,300 vehicles that travel each day, has one sidewalk. This project will consist of widening Los Osos Valley Road to a continuous four lane roadway between the entrances of the Los Verdes Parks and the existing four-lane roadway west of Calle Joaquin. The new bridge will be a four-span structure approximately 370’ in length and 40’-6” in width. Embankments in excess of 20’ in height will be constructed for the widened road and bridge approaches. Other improvements, such as widened sidewalks and bike lanes, will also be included. The project also provides for beautification and environmental sustainability with the construction of permanent erosion protection, architectural treatment of the concrete barriers, ornamental lighting fixtures, new and modified drainage systems, and creek restoration. Storm Water Pollution Control is another important element of the project; the US 101/LOVR Interchange Improvements Project has been determined as Risk Level 2. MNS has certified QSP and QSD staff to ensure the project’s compliance with the approved SWPPP and Water Pollution Control Board 401 permit.
Here are some 3D renders of what the new overpass will look like once it is completed:
This project is planned to be completed within 18 months.
