Scope of work on this $350-million project included construction of 16 miles of express lanes in each direction between Redwood City and South San Francisco.

About two miles of city frontage road were rebuilt along with two miles of sound walls and median shoulders with full structural sections, plus 16 miles of median barrier.

With 280,000 vehicles traveling this stretch of highway daily, safety was paramount. Given lighter traffic and the ability to close more lanes at night, approximately 95% of the work was completed in the dark. To keep workers safe, processes were put in place such as blocker vehicles for every work zone.

During preconstruction, the project team focused on strategies to accelerate construction and minimize impacts to the traveling public. The team adjusted the roadway alignment to leave a pedestrian bridge in place, accelerating construction by about one month. This also eliminated the need for a new bridge over the highway and maintained access for pedestrians and bicyclists. The cost savings from this innovation was $4 million, and pedestrian access was maintained in this heavily populated corridor.