Work has begun on the $437m phase 3 of the ongoing Interstate 215 (I-215) widening project in San Bernardino City in the US state of California.

Work involves widening the interstate from Rialto Avenue to Massachusetts Avenue.

The phase is being funded with $128m from the American Recovery and Reinvestment (ARRA) fund and $250m in state bonds.

Work will be carried out by a joint venture of Swedish firm Skanska and US-based Steve P.Rados under a $154.3m contract and is expected to finish in 2013.

The total $800m I-215 widening project is the country’s largest ARRA funded highway project.

Work is already under way on the first and second phases. The ground breaking ceremony for the $159m fourth phase has also gone ahead with construction work expected to begin in late November.