Portola Avenue Off-Ramp From Interstate 580 Permanently Closes

Caltrans permanently closed the off-ramp from eastbound Interstate Highway 580 in Livermore early Tuesday to make way for construction on the nearby .

When the realignment is completed, traffic headed toward I-580 on Portola Avenue from the south will be routed onto an overcrossing that will connect it to Portola Avenue north of the highway, near , Caltrans spokesman Allyn Amsk said.

The closure of the eastbound I-580 Portola Avenue off-ramp is permanent, and the Portola Avenue flyover to westbound I-580 will eventually be closed as well, Amsk said.

Amsk said drivers on eastbound I-580 can use the Airway Boulevard and North Livermore Avenue exits for access to city streets while the new interchange is under construction.

The interchange work consists of three projects, two run by the city and one by Caltrans.

In one of the projects, the city of Livermore is redesigning Isabel Avenue so that it lines up with the new interchange, he said.

He said the new interchange is intended to relieve congestion at the existing Airway Boulevard interchange and improve access to homes, businesses, Las Positas College and future development north of I-580.

The interchange work is involves collaboration between the city of Livermore, the Alameda County Congestion Management Agency and Caltrans.

The work has already begun and is expected to be completed this fall.

--Bay City News Service