Newell Road Bridge Replacement Project Status Update
Published on July 03, 2023
Progress on this important project continues. City staff are working to solicit bids for the Newell Road Bridge Replacement project this fall and award a contract this winter so that construction can start spring 2024. There are several remaining and active elements underway including:
- Finalizing Project Plans, Specifications and Engineer's Estimate (PS&E)
- Certification of Right-of-Way (ROW) Acquisition and Utilities
- Securing permits and funding.
While each of these should be possible to complete in time for bidding the project, the primary risk of delay other than Project Plan & Specifications, is that these steps all rely on decision-making of other jurisdictions including Caltrans, Utility providers and other Regulatory Agencies.
Project Elements & Work Underway
A brief status update.
Project Plans & Specifications: Staff received the 100% Project Plans, Specifications and Engineer's Estimate (PS&E) in March. Minor edits or changes may be required based on constructability review and/or coordination with the utility providers and owners whose properties will be affected.
Right of Way Acquisition: The ROW Certification is a Caltrans Highway Bridge Program grant requirement. Notices of decision to appraise were sent and field visits completed in May, and the consultants are preparing the appraisals for the City. Once complete, these appraisals must be reviewed by a third party to validate the results. We are working with owners to make this process efficient and to stay on track to start negotiations this summer.
Permitting: City staff is working with San Francisquito Creek Joint Powers Authority (SFCJPA) and their consultant to submit applications to the regulatory agencies (U.S. Army Corp of Engineers, Regional Water Quality Control Board, California Department of Fish and Wildlife, National Marine Fisheries Service, and U.S Fish and Wildlife Service). This is phase 1 of the Reach 2 project area. Applications will be submitted this summer and we anticipate the permit being secured by fall. SFCJPA staff’s discussion of the Reach 2 projects with the regulatory agencies going back several years should aid with advancing the Newell Road Bridge component. Part of the permit application includes removing the existing concrete bridge abutments from the creek allows the project to restore the area to a more natural condition for the benefit of wildlife. Restoration of the channel is seen as an improvement by the agencies.
Project Funding: Staff has been working with Caltrans Local Assistance on the additional funding and its timing required to complete ROW and construction. There have been several discussions and iterations to verify the grant funding is being used as intended. Caltrans has multiple review levels; Caltrans Local Assistance has reviewed the funding request and has forwarded it on to Caltrans Headquarters in Sacramento. We are currently waiting for their response.
Learn more about SFCJPA projects to gain updates on Channel widening, Top of bank floodwalls, Pope-Chaucer Bridge, and Hydraulic Model analysis.
For the City’s Newell Road Bridge Project website, go to /newell.