Understanding the needs of local businesses and residents driving in and around the west side industrial centers, the City of Santa Clarita was able to expedite its work program for construction of a critical 1.6 mile portion of the eight-and-half-mile Cross Valley Connector Road. Originally slated for opening in October, the “gap closure” will now open April 23, 2007, at 10 a.m.

“We were able to successfully work with the area businesses, our contractor, C.A. Rasmussen, and local utility companies including The Gas Company and Southern California Edison, to enable this important portion of the Cross Valley Connector to be completed five months ahead of schedule,” explains Robert Newman, Director of Public Works for the City of Santa Clarita.

The gap closure portion of the Cross Valley Connector is located between I-5/126 and Copperhill/Rye Canyon Road, adjacent to the Gateway Village Shopping Center, as well as the Valencia Industrial Center, and home to more than 1,000 companies.

“We are absolutely ecstatic about this early opening of the roadway. It will mean a lot to the businesses of the Gateway Village Shopping Center and to the companies in the industrial center,” commented Kevin Leahy, store owner of Candleman in the Gateway Village Center.

Cost for this portion of the Cross Valley Connector is $31 million and is funded through a federal appropriation, courtesy of Congressman Howard “Buck” McKeon, as well as a grant from the Metropolitan Transportation Authority, bridge and thoroughfare developer fees received from the County of Los Angeles and funds from Newhall Land.