The Contra Costa Transportation Authority (CCTA) in the US has awarded a contract to Brosamer & Wall and Bay Cities Paving & Grading to construct various improvements to the State Route 4 / Balfour Road interchange.

Aimed at improving traffic flow on State Route 4, the project improves safety for everyone using the interchange at Balfour Road.

It is the final roadway element of the bypass project, constructed with more than $400m in local funds as well as $25m in state funds, over the last 16 years.

"Aimed at improving traffic flow on State Route 4, the project improves safety for everyone using the interchange at Balfour Road."

Construction companies Brosamer & Wall and Bay Cities Paving & Grading have formed a joint venture to bid about $3.9m on the project (BWBCJV).

CCTA commissioner Robert Taylor said: “I'm excited to see CCTA move forward on the State Route 4/Balfour Road interchange improvements by awarding this contract.

“That it is going to two Contra Costa construction firms who came in with an extremely competitive bid, makes it even better.”

The project will result in a new interchange at the junction of State Route 4 and Balfour Road in Brentwood and replace the existing at-grade signals with a new structure.

Additionally, new on and off-ramps will allow traffic to smoothly enter State Route 4 from Balfour Road and vice versa and will ease traffic congestion.

Bob Brosamer with Brosamer & Wall said: “We are incredibly proud to be part of a project that will improve safety and improve the flow of traffic in our home county.”

Utility work has already commenced for the new interchange and construction is slated to begin late this year or early next year.

The project is expected to be complete in 2019.