Pit River Bridge

Work continues on the emergency deck replacement project of the Pit River Bridge (aka The Veterans of Foreign Wars Memorial Bridge). Construction required reducing traffic to one lane in each direction as crews remove the old concrete and pour a new deck. Work is nearing completion and traffic should return to normal in May, 2008, is nearing completion and traffic.

Built in 1942 by the Bureau of Reclamation as part of the Central Valley project, the Pit River Bridge has a steel truss design supporting a concrete upper deck serving motorists on Interstate 5 and a lower railway used by Union Pacific Railroad. The 64-year-old concrete deck, along with portions added during a widening project in the mid 60s, shows advanced signs of fatigue. Harsh winter weather, de-icing agents, increased traffic and larger, heavier truckloads have all taken their toll resulting in the need to replace the deck.

The Bridge, located 10 miles north of Redding, is a critical link of the I-5 corridor. Used for moving goods and services through northern California, it has average traffic volumes exceeding 20,000 vehicles per day. Signs alerting motorists of the “bridge work and 45 MPH ahead” Have been posted and the California Highway Patrol will be out enforcing the speed limit.

Project Costs:  $25 million

Contractor:  Golden State Bridge