Avila Beach Drive Bridge in Avila Beach, CA.

Avila Beach Drive Bridge Seismic Retrofit in Avila Beach

Author: Public Works
Date: 6/26/2018 3:14:56 PM

The County of San Luis Obispo Department of Public Works will begin a seismic retrofit project on the existing Avila Beach Drive bridge over San Luis Obispo Creek.

The bridge is located in the town of Avila Beach and was built in 1967 providing the only public access road to Port San Luis and Diablo Canyon Power Plant.  A 2010 PG&E study on evacuation routes identified this bridge as a concern of potential collapse during an earthquake.  The seismic retrofit will assure the evacuation route and upgrade the bridge to current codes.  The seismic retrofit elements include:

  • Cable restrainers and strengthening of bridge connections
  • A new approach slab and stabilization at the east end of the bridge
  • Removal and replacement of unsound concrete on the bridge supports
  • Removal and replacement of existing asphalt on the bridge surface with a new polyester concrete deck overlay

Souza Construction, Inc. has been awarded the contract for $1,757,317 to perform the work.  The project is funded by the Federal Highway Administration via grant funding administered by the Caltrans Highway Bridge Program.

Souza's work is anticipated to begin in mid-July and will commence with work under the bridge as a first phase of construction. Work on the roadway will begin after Labor Day.  No work will be done during weekends or holidays.  Work in the roadway will occur only during off-peak hours with single-lane closures, anticipating maximum 10-minute delays.  Bicycle and pedestrian traffic will be maintained at all times during construction. Work is expected to be completed by the end of 2018.

Chevron Environmental Management Company is currently working ahead of the County’s project by removing five abandoned petroleum pipelines under the bridge.

For more information, please feel free to contact Matt Reinhart at (805) 781-5262.