The next phase of State Route 4 (SR 4) widening through Pittsburg and Antioch is one step closer to realization as bids for the construction project were opened on Wednesday, Feb. 10. Construction is expected to begin in May. The apparent low bidder is O.C. Jones and Sons, Inc. whose bid of $64,937,452.60 is significantly lower than the estimated cost of $91,000,000.

The project, a joint venture between the Contra Costa Transportation Authority and Caltrans, will widen SR 4 to eight lanes – three mixed-flow lanes and one high-occupancy-vehicle lane in each direction from just west of the Loveridge Road interchange to west of the Somersville Road interchange. The project includes reconstruction of the Loveridge Road interchange as well as a median wide enough to accommodate future mass transit.

This is one of five construction projects that will widen SR 4, its interchanges and affected local roadways from approximately 0.8 mile west of Loveridge Road to approximately 0.7 mile east of Hillcrest Avenue.