Bakersfield has completed the $600 million Centennial Corridor project after nearly two decades of construction.
The city, Thomas Roads and Improvement Program and Caltrans will hold a ribbon-cutting ceremony on Feb. 9.
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The big picture: The Centennial Corridor project connected Highway 99 and Highway 58, totally $351 million for that portion.
- It also cost $89 million to improve the Kern River bridges, $67 million for the Belle Terrace Bridge, $103 million for the Bakersfield Freeway Connector and $15 million for the Stockdale-Enose Lane Roundabout.
- Three-quarters of the funding came from federal money, while the state paid for over nine percent and the remaining 16 percent came from local funds.
- Bakersfield expects the project to relieve the stress on outdated infrastructure and facilitate regional mobility, economic growth and development and reduce travel time.
What they’re saying: “The Centennial Corridor project was started in 2006 and creates a new avenue for commerce,” retired Bakersfield Congressman Bill Thomas said. “Centennial Corridor will allow delivery trucks and other long-distance shipping vehicles to travel through the area much easier and more quickly, avoiding the need to use local roadways.”
- Bakersfield City Manager Christian Clegg said, “The City of Bakersfield is eternally grateful to former Congressman Bill Thomas for his tireless efforts in securing hundreds of millions of dollars for this project. This is an exciting time to see this project completed after nearly 20 years.”
