Palo Alto and Regional Partners Mark the Construction Start of Newell Road Bridge Replacement Project
New bridge advances transportation safety and resiliency priorities and is the first step in the San Francisquito Creek Reach 2 flood protection project
PALO ALTO, Calif. —Palo Alto leaders joined regional partners, neighboring agencies and community members today to celebrate the start of construction on the Newell Road Bridge Replacement Project, marking a major milestone in the long-anticipated effort to improve flood protection, transportation safety and resiliency for Palo Alto, East Palo Alto and neighboring communities.
“This project reflects years of planning, partnership and perseverance,” said Greer Stone, Palo Alto’s vice mayor. “Replacing the Newell Road Bridge will improve safety and mobility while strengthening long-term flood resiliency for Palo Alto, East Palo Alto and Menlo Park.”
Recognizing over 20 years of coordination advancing this project, the celebration brought together representatives from the City of Palo Alto, City of East Palo Alto, Valley Water and Caltrans to mark the start of construction on the approximately $16.12 million project, and the first step in the San Francisquito Creek Reach 2 flood protection project.
“Valley Water is proud to partner with Palo Alto, East Palo Alto, Menlo Park, and both Santa Clara and San Mateo Counties to increase community resiliency through advancing flood protection priorities, such as the replacement of the Newell Road Bridge,” said Melanie Richardson, Valley Water Interim CEO. “This project increases creek flow capacity, allows a 100-year storm event to pass, and more importantly it paves the way for future improvements upstream on San Francisquito Creek.”
Connecting the bridge's history with its future, community members gathered for the final public opportunity to view the 1911 Newell Road Bridge before its removal, followed by the unveiling of a new 3D animation that offered a first look at the new bridge design and transformation ahead that will serve the community for generations to come.
The multi-jurisdictional bridge replacement project is funded primarily through the federal Highway Bridge Program with over 15 regional, state and federal partners key to advancing the project, including Caltrans $10M funding commitment and critical support reviewing and permitting the project. Valley Water provided a $2M local match needed and coordinated with the regulatory agencies, and other permit and environmental review. State Senator Josh Becker secured an additional $2M in state funding needed to construct the project, reinforcing the importance of the regional connections the bridge provides.
“Caltrans is a committed project partner, and the new bridge will serve the community for generations to come offering critical multimodal access and connectivity over the creek for many commuters, including students walking and riding bikes to local schools,” said Cameron Oakes, Caltrans Bay Area deputy district director, Transportation Planning and Local Assistance.
Constructed in 1911, the Newell Road Bridge has connected the community for more than a century through a 76-foot reinforced concrete structure that lacks pedestrian and bicycle facilities. The replacement bridge will provide safer and more accessible infrastructure for all users, including two 10-foot vehicle travel lanes, two 4-foot shoulders, sidewalks and crosswalks designed to improve pedestrian access and connectivity while supporting future flood protection efforts along the creek corridor. The new bridge width is roughly 20-ft wider than the existing primarily due to the new sidewalks and new shoulders and is slightly longer than the old bridge at 80-feet noting in addition to new sidewalks, the bridge design includes curb ramps, curb and gutter, roadway paving, drainage improvements, and creek slope protection.
The approximately 18-month construction project, which started with pre-construction activities last year, represents years of planning, design, environmental review and community engagement. Regional and federal agencies involved with project coordination and review include Valley Water, Caltrans, San Francisquito Creek Joint Powers Authority, City of East Palo Alto, SF Bay Regional Water Quality Control Board, California Department of Fish and Wildlife, and United States Army Corp of Engineers.
Construction has begun with mobilization in the creek starting June 1. Newell Road Bridge is closed to vehicle access with bicycle and pedestrian access continuing through the afternoon of May 22 before a full closure begins Friday evening. Granite Construction is the project’s general contractor, NV5 Design Engineering led the new bridge design, and Zoon Engineering is overseeing project engineering and construction management aspects of the project. Construction activities are expected to continue through spring 2027.
View the 3D project animation.
Learn more at www.paloalto.gov/newell.
Photo Reference Names from Left to Right: Melanie Richardson, Interim CEO, Valley Water; Cameron Oakes, Deputy District Director, Transportation Planning and Local Assistance, Caltrans Bay Area; Rebecca Eisenberg, Valley Water Board of Director- District 7; Mark Dinan, East Palo Alto Councilmember; Brad Eggleston, City of Palo Alto Public Works Director; Ruben Abrica, Vice Mayor of East Palo Alto; Keith Reckdahl, Palo Alto City Council Member; Ed Shikada, City of Palo Alto, City Manager; Pat Burt, Palo Alto City Council Member; Greer Stone, Palo Alto Vice Mayor; Julie Lythcott-Haims, Palo Alto City Council Member; Alex Kobayashi, District Representative, Office of State Senator Josh Becker
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Sent By:
Meghan Horrigan-Taylor
Chief Communications Officer
City Manager's Office
Office Phone: (650) 329-2607
Email: Meghan.Horrigan-Taylor@paloalto.gov