Following the damaging 2005 storm, Britt said the department “put temporary restrictions on the bridge, as we were not sure what kind of damage it might have suffered; we put some real stringent restrictions on it until we had a structural engineer on it.” Now, the project is following through with “work that needs to be done,” and Britt said its $3.2 million cost is funded by the federal government, Caltrans, and “some county money.”It’s welcome work for the approximately 2,000 to 3,000 vehicles that use the bridge daily. “It’s a key to the people living on the other side” of the river, who without the 12th Street Bridge would have to travel east to Fillmore or west toward Ventura before they could find access across the river.“We’re doing what we can to make sure it lasts until the next century” with the project that was mobilized in November and, noted Britt, interrupted by rainy weather and other difficulties including drilling. Work started up again April 30, and completion could come in September or October depending on various factors that could impact progress.With the ambitious project’s huge drilling rigs and oversized crane, the construction site has been drawing a lot of attention that Britt said must be kept at a distance. “The site is not open to the public to look at, it’s a high-risk area” with very deep holes and active equipment.
12th Street Bridge: Project to seismic retrofit, repair underway
July 31, 2009
Santa Paula News
Lingering damage from the destructive January 2005 storms and a seismic upgrade have prompted work on the 12th Street Bridge, construction that has become the subject of curiosity among area residents.
By Peggy KellySanta Paula TimesLingering damage from the destructive January 2005 storms and a seismic upgrade have prompted work on the 12th Street Bridge, construction that has become the subject of curiosity among area residents.In January 2005 the 12th Street Bridge, spanning the Santa Clara River directly south of Highway 126 that connects East Harvard Boulevard/12th Street to South Mountain Road, suffered storm damage. Inspectors found the raging river waters had undercut the bridge at the southeast corner and caused a series of landslides further south in the rural ranch area.According to Ventura County Transportation Director Butch Britt, the project is one of seismic strengthening including new pilings to offer “protection for future years.” Britt said the project has experienced “contract problems, but we’re hoping to resolve those and get the work done.”
