CALIFORNIA STATE ROUTE 79
FREEWAY CONVERSION PROJECT
ALTERNATIVE #1 - HOOK RAMP
California Avenue (North)
OVERVIEW
Our first alternative is the hook ramp interchange. The hook ramps interchange is generally designed when the freeway alignment runs parallel to the streets.
TRAFFIC ANALYSIS
The traffic team performed a traffic analysis for this alternative using Trafficware Synchro 10 to evaluate the number of approach lanes and level of service. Peak hour traffic volume data was obtained from Caltrans Traffic Counts Census, Riverside County Traffic Analysis Model (RIVTAM) and Southern California Association of Governments (SCAG) Model. The annual growth rate for traffic volumes for 2025 and 2045 were forecasted using Caltrans 2017 Transportation Concept Report. The hook ramp design will have two intersections. For SB intersection, the 2025 AM/PM LOS is A/A and the 2045 AM/PM LOS is A/B. For NB intersection, the 2025 AM/PM LOS is A/B and the 2045 AM/PM LOS is B/B. These results satisfy the minimum LOS requirement of D as set forth by Caltrans standards.
GEOMETRIC FEASIBILITY
In our design only the southern portion of California Avenue runs parallel to State Route 79 while the northern portion maintains a 30 degree skew angle. The proposed four lane bridge on California Ave is designed nearly perpendicular to the 79 which minimizes the structures cost. However, the hook ramps design incorporates more drastic curves on the ramps than other designs.
ENVIRONMENTAL IMPACT
The Hook Ramp Alternative resulted in the highest impact to right of way for the California Alternatives. This alternative leads to partial and full land acquisitions from residential and vacant parcels. Due to the project site rolling terrain condition, the introduction to retaining walls were introduced. The proposed alternative requires utility relocation. Continuing, proper drainage will be implemented in the design and a Storm Water Pollution Prevention Plan as outline by the Riverside County Flood Control and Water Conservation District. Some potential permits or approvals required include air quality, 401 Permit, and 404 permits.
DETAILED DESIGN
The cross-section of California Ave. in the Hook Ramp alternative will have a 6' sidewalk, a 4’ bike lane in each direction to improve access for all users, a 4' external shoulder, two 12’ through lanes, and a 12' median. Bike lanes and sidewalks were included in our bridge design to promote active mobility and accessibility for all modes of transportation. The ramps of this alternative consist of an 8' external shoulder, one 12' lane with auxiliary to provide additional capacity on the intersections, and a 4' internal shoulder.
For our project study report, an Advance Planning Study (APS) was done to define the scope of structure work and develop a reasonable cost estimate for budget purposes. APS consists of a plan sheet for each structure with basic dimensions and minimal detailing including the vertical clearance, span length, and structure type. Each plan sheet contains the plan, elevation, typical section view, and cost estimate of the structure. All these structures will be constructed out of precast concrete. The Bridge Design Aids were used for the design of the new bridges. Please refer to the Geometric Approval Drawing and Advanced Planned Study under the Deliverables tab for geometric details of this alternative.
VIABILITY
The Hook Ramps Alternative was carefully revised and evaluated based on multiple factors including: Alternative Scoping, Traffic Analysis, and Geometric Design. It was considered as one of the three viable alternatives as it satisfied all the categories mentioned above. It also passed geometric feasibility, and impact evaluation steps and was considered viable for detailed design. All documents and deliverables pertaining to this design can be found under the Project Deliverables Tab.
