The retailers and shoppers at Gateway Village Shopping Center are jumping for joy at the early opening of a critical link in the Cross Valley Connector.
The City of Santa Clarita, responding to the needs of local businesses and residents driving in and around the west side industrial centers, expedited its work program for construction along the critical 1.6 mile portion of the eight-and-half-mile Cross Valley Connector. It was originally slated to open in October but, the City pushed forward relentlessly and opened the gap closure portion of I-5/126 and Copperhill/Rye Canyon Road in April, five months early.
“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,” said Robert Newman, Director of Public Works for the City of Santa Clarita.
The area is home to more than 1000 companies including retail shops at the Gateway Shopping Center.
Kevin Leahy, the center’s first tenant has been concerned about the lack of access for his customers, as well as his neighbors.
“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,” said Leahy who owns Candleman.
The cost for the newly-opened portion of the 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.