San Bernardino County highlights new bridge project, housing expansion and youth programs

County officials used part of the board meeting to highlight recent achievements and infrastructure and social-service projects.

An opening speaker said San Bernardino County earned 257 achievement awards from the National Association of Counties this year, more than any other U.S. county. Officials then described the Glen Helen Parkway project as a four-lane bridge over Cajon Wash with multiuse pathways designed for bikes and horses; a county speaker said the project carries a $52,200,000 price tag and involves federal and regional partners with a county match.

Officials and program leads also described Pacific Village Phase 2, which will add supportive housing and integrated services including 32 substance-use-disorder beds, 32 recuperative-care beds and 70 permanent supportive housing units. An IHP award of $3,500,000 was cited as one funding source for the campus.

County staff reviewed youth programs: the Explorer program (ages 14—1) provides ride-alongs, competitions and pathway exposure to law enforcement careers; the SPARK internship program screened about 1,200 applicants and selected 131 interns (84 community youth, 47 foster youth) who collectively completed 21,912 hours of work experience.

Board members used their comments to thank partners, announce grants (including $1,092,000 for Bloomington septic-to-sewer conversions and a $2,000,000 animal-shelter grant), and to note upcoming events and community cleanup efforts.