Caltrans recommended the City rehabilitate the hinge as part of a standard bridge preventive maintenance program.
In 2008, the California Department of Transportation (Caltrans) performed a routine inspection of three City-owned bridges and noticed vertical and horizontal displacement on the westbound Santa Margarita Parkway (SMP) Bridge at its hinge. Caltrans recommended the City rehabilitate the hinge as part of the City’s normal bridge preventive maintenance program. The proposed Santa Margarita Parkway Bridge Hinge Repair Project (Project) will reconstruct this bridge hinge and implement general maintenance on the westbound SMP Bridge. The purpose of the hinge is to allow bridge spans on the SMP Bridge to move independently of each other.
SMP Bridge is located on a major arterial corridor and a major gateway into the City. Given the importance of this infrastructure to the community, the City applied for and was granted, federal-aid funding through the Federal Highway Administrations’ (FHWA) Highway Bridge Program (HBP) - Bridge Preventive Maintenance Program (BPMP) which is administered by Caltrans. The program assists local jurisdictions to rehabilitate public bridges.
The City has completed all necessary regulatory permit requirements, received Caltrans funding authorization, and recently completed the construction bid process to move forward with the construction phase. Construction is expected to begin in April and be completed in December 2020.
Initial construction will take place underneath the bridge and will not affect traffic. Bridge deck construction is anticipated to begin in mid to late summer and last approximately three (3) months.
A detailed traffic control implementation plan, and notifications to the public will occur as part of the project.
Please contact Public Works for additional information at (949) 635-1800.