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San Luis Bay Drive Bridge Replacement Project Complete, Ahead of Schedule
It’s a gem for San Luis Obispo County – one that promotes traffic and pedestrian safety, and supports area tourism – literally.
The San Luis Bay Drive Bridge Replacement Project is complete, and the bridge opened nearly three months ahead of schedule. The project began in April 2007, and the original project schedule called for the work to be complete late March 2008. It opened in early January 2008.
“Any time you can have a government project done three months ahead of time, under budget and that greatly improves safety it’s a great thing,” said County Supervisor Jerry Lenthall. “This project supports the thousands of cars that cross the bridge, and potentially thousands of pedestrians and bicyclists who use the Bob Jones Trail underneath. We’re very pleased.”
On Jan. 11, Lenthall, project managers and contractors, representatives from California Highway Patrol, the San Luis Obispo Bicycle Club, Cal Trans and more attended a bridge dedication event to celebrate the bridge’s completion. As a part of the festivities, Lenthall and project managers drove a 1950s Ford Woodie across the bridge to pay homage to the local tourism base supported, literally, by the new bridge.
Project Manager Mike Britton thanked the contractor, R. Burke Corporation, MNS Engineers and several other players in making the bridge project a success. “I especially want to thank the community of Avila Beach for your patience,” Britton said during the event. Having the bridge closed impacted local residents, “but you managed to keep your perspective throughout the project, and for that we thank you.”
Besides replacing the physical bridge, the project included installing a new traffic signal, constructing a new right-turn lane on Avila Beach Drive westbound and creating a left-turn lane on the new bridge at Bay Laurel Place, said Project Manager Mike Britton.
The bridge and roadway work improved pedestrian and bicycle access, with a new crossing under the bridge for the Bob Jones Bike Trail. The new bridge was constructed to be higher than the old bridge which will help decrease the potential for flooding in the area.
The original cost for the project was $6.5 million, funded from a combination of Highway Bridge Rehabilitation and Replacement funds, Road Impact Fees, Regional State Highway Account monies and Transportation Enhancement Activities funds.
Left to Right: Project Manager Mike Britton, San Luis Obispo County Supervisor Jerry Lenthall, Dean Russu of MNS and Randy Anderson of Burke Corporation say a few words during the completion celebration in January on the San Luis Bay Drive Bridge. During the celebration, Lenthall, Britton and other project managers rode a 1950 Ford Woodie across the bridge.
Members of the San Luis Obispo Bicycle Club took time out of a ride on the Bob Jones Trail to ride over the new bridge and back. The Bob Jones Trail was rerouted beneath the new bridge to avoid having to cross traffic.
The completion celebration event included a barbecue provided by Woodstone Market. More than 50 people attended.
Project Updates
December 14 , 2007
Motorists should anticipate traffic delays up to 20 minutes on Saturday, Dec.15 while crews pave Avila Beach Drive. Crews are expected to complete paving by the end of the day Saturday to avoid potential rain in the area.
November 06, 2007
The impacted section of the Bob Jones Trail is now open to the public. The trail was realigned to travel beneath the San Luis Bay Drive Bridge, rather than cross over San Luis Bay Drive. Trail users should remain aware of continuing work on the bridge replacement project until the project complete.
October 16, 2007
Drivers should anticipate delays up to 20 minutes on Avila Beach Drive as traffic lanes will temporarily shift north and as the contractor moves all equipment and materials to the south side of the road. This work is expected to begin as early as Tuesday, with the majority of delays beginning Wednesday. The delays are expected to be complete by Friday.
October 8, 2007
Expect intermittent traffic delays at the entrance of San Luis Bay Estates during the next few weeks of construction. Crews are beginning work to construct and align San Luis Bay Drive with the new San Luis Bay Drive Bridge, which requires reworking the entrance to San Luis Bay Estates at Bay Laurel Place. Residents may choose to enter and exit through the northerly entrance at Sparrow Street (adjacent to the CDF station.)
September 04, 2007
Avila Beach Drive will be subject to periodic flagging between 7 a.m. and 3 p.m. on Tuesday, Sept. 4, Wednesday, Sept. 5 and Thursday, Sept. 6, to complete drainage system work in the road, and to start placing concrete for the deck of the bridge.
August 13, 2007
Traffic control will be in effect on Avila Beach Drive between 8:30 a.m. and 2:30 p.m., Monday, August 13 — Friday, August 17, as R. Burke Corporation prepares for paving the widened roadway along the north side of the road. Remaining work will be limited to the vicinity of the bridge structure, away from any public or traffic.
