The eastbound Interstate 8 / Imperial Avenue on- and off-ramps will be closed beginning at 9:00 p.m. Monday.

Crews will begin work on Stage 1 construction of the I-8 / Imperial Avenue Interchange Project that will see the existing bridge and eastbound on- and off-ramps removed with a new structure and on- and off-ramps in both directions built. The project will allow for the City of El Centro's extension of Imperial Avenue south of the freeway. During Stage 1 of the project , expected to last eight to 10 months , motorists on eastbound Interstate 8 will be detoured to 4th Street. The westbound Interstate 8 on- and off-ramps will remain open during the first phase of the project with the exception of two nights during the week of July 20 when the existing bridge will be demolished. 

Stage 2 of the project which includes work on the northern portion of I-8 is anticipated to take four to 6 months and could begin as early as December. The total project cost is Approximately $44 million with $42 million funded through the Regional Improvement Program with the remaining funds coming from the Federal Highway Priority Projects Program.