Skanska photo

Excavators prepare the ground for the Essex Road Bridge replacement project.

Global construction and development firm Skanska announced the recent substantial completion of two California projects.

On Feb. 11, 2025, it announced the completion of the Essex Road Bridge replacement in Essex.

And a week later, it announced the completion of the Gilman Springs Road Phase Six Safety Project in Eastern Moreno Valley.

The $19.8 million Essex Road Bridge replacement project was awarded to Skanska by the California Department of Transportation (Caltrans) and involved the replacement of westbound and eastbound bridges on Interstate 40 over Halfway Hills Wash.

The 20-month project involved demolishing the existing bridges, asphalt paving, constructing two new seven-span bridges and making drainage improvements.

"The delivery of this project will have a lasting impact on the region," said Kyle Reiter, project manager of Skanska USA Civil's West Coast operations. "The new Essex Road Bridges … will greatly improve the safety of traffic in the region."

Construction on the project began in May of 2023.

In addition, the $20.3 million Gilman Springs Road project was awarded to Skanska by the County of Riverside Transportation Department.

The six-month project between State Route 60 and State Route 79 involved 4 mi. of center median and shoulder widening; the creation of a 1-mi. northbound passing lane; improvements to the storm drains; installation of wildlife fence; a wildlife animal crossing; and the installation of 6 mi. of raised center median with reflective channelizers to provide a physical division between the two traffic lanes.

Construction on the project began in August 2024. The roadway was fully open to the public as of Feb. 8, 2025.

"The delivery of this project will significantly enhance regional safety and efficiency by improving traffic flow, reducing congestion and providing a safer driving experience for all road users," said Bill Hearn, project manager, Skanska USA Civil West Coast. "To better enhance safety outcomes, we collaborated closely in tandem with the county to implement Skanska's value engineering proposition, eliminating the safety hazards between motorists and the construction team, and further reducing construction costs that can then be shared back with the county."

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