REPORT/RECOMMENDATION TO THE BOARD OF SUPERVISORS
OF SAN BERNARDINO COUNTY
AND RECORD OF ACTION
January 13, 2026
FROM
NOEL CASTILLO, Director, Department of Public Works - Transportation
SUBJECT
Title
Project Baseline Agreement with the San Bernardino County Transportation Authority for Trade Corridor Enhancement Program Funds for the Baker Boulevard Bridge Replacement Project Over the Mojave River in the Unincorporated Community of Baker
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RECOMMENDATION(S)
Recommendation
Approve Project Baseline Agreement with the San Bernardino County Transportation Authority and the California Transportation Commission, for the Baker Boulevard Bridge Replacement Project over the Mojave River, in the amount of $18,369,000, in Trade Corridor Enhancement Program funds and $11,426,000 of Measure I Major Local Highways Program and Surface Transportation Program funds, for a total Project cost of $29,975,000, effective upon execution by all parties through April 30, 2030.
(Presenter: Byanka Velasco, Assistant Director, 387-7906)
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COUNTY AND CHIEF EXECUTIVE OFFICER GOALS & OBJECTIVES
Ensure Development of a Well-Planned, Balanced, and Sustainable County.
Pursue County Goals and Objectives by Working with Other Agencies and Stakeholders.
FINANCIAL IMPACT
Approval of this item will not result in the use of Discretionary General Funding (Net County Cost). The estimated total cost of the Baker Boulevard Bridge Replacement Project over the Mojave River (Project) is $29,795,000. This cost will be funded by the Trade Corridor Enhancement Program (TCEP), in the amount of $18,369,000 allocated by the California Transportation Commission (CTC) and Measure I Major Local Highways Program (MLHP) and Surface Transportation Program (STP), in the amount of $11,426,000, administered by the San Bernardino County Transportation Authority (SBCTA). The Department of Public Works (Department) will return to the Board of Supervisors (Board) to request any necessary budget adjustments concurrently with the award of the construction contract (6650002000 H14278).
BACKGROUND INFORMATION
Baker Boulevard functions as the main street in the unincorporated community of Baker in San Bernardino County (County) and in the process of being designated as a Critical Rural Freight Corridor, which connects directly to Interstate 15, a Trade Corridor of National and Regional Significance on the federal Primary Freight Network. Baker Boulevard is also a critical component of the local circulation system, serving as an essential way-station for auto and truck traffic traveling between Southern California and Las Vegas. The bridge over the Mojave River, located between Mill Road and State Route 172, is currently a two-lane timber bridge with no shoulders and almost 100 years old. Baker Boulevard has been widened to accommodate four lanes but is presently striped for only two lanes due to the existing narrow bridge.
The proposed Project will replace the existing two-lane, timber bridge on Baker Boulevard with a new four-lane structure featuring a center median, 10-foot shoulders, and sidewalks on both sides, thereby improving traffic circulation and infrastructure.
On November 22, 2024, SBCTA submitted its application for TCEP funds. SBCTA is the nominating agency, and the County is the implementing agency. The CTC, at its June 25th/ 26th, 2025 meeting, notified the SBCTA that the Project was successful in obtaining TCEP funding in the amount of $18,369,000.
SBCTA’s TCEP application requested funding for two projects: the Project and an electric truck charging station to be constructed by WattEV, a private company. WattEV is a signing party for this Project Baseline Agreement, but SBCTA will secure its signature separately.
In accordance with the Project Baseline Agreement, the County and SBCTA will serve as implementing agencies for the Project. SBCTA will be the implementing agency for the truck charging stations and will seek reimbursement through the California Department of Transportation (Caltrans) separately. The County will invoice Caltrans, which administers reimbursements for the CTC, and invoice SBCTA for all eligible Project costs, as well as reimbursements for the MLHP and STP funding. The CTC and SBCTA agree to reimburse the County up to $18,369,000 and $11,426,000, respectively, upon receipt of required documentation. The Project construction is anticipated to commence in the spring/summer of 2026 and is expected to last approximately two years.
PROCUREMENT
Not applicable.
REVIEW BY OTHERS
This item has been reviewed by County Counsel (Aaron Gest, Deputy County Counsel, 387-5455) on December 8, 2025; and County Finance and Administration (Kathleen Gonzalez, Administrative Analyst, 387-5412) on December 23, 2025.