Ventura Overhead Bridge Replacement Project
Location and Limits
The Ventura Overhead Bridge connects to State Route 1 (Pacific Coast Highway) from the State Beaches exit (72) on northbound U.S. Highway 101 north of the City of Ventura.
The Project
The scope of work will replace the entire existing Ventura Overhead Bridge No. 52-0040 over the Union Pacific Railroad (UPRR) track on State Route 1 (SR-1) north of the City of Ventura. The additional benefits for the bridge replacement include a new, cleaner substructure with fewer columns and improved aesthetics since this bridge is near the state beaches. The project will also enhance bike and pedestrian path accessibility from Omer Rains Coastal Bike Trail to Emma Wood State Beach. Improve railroad clearance by meeting the minimum horizontal and vertical clearance requirements for railroads.
Background
The Ventura Overhead Bridge No. 52-0040 is a 90-year-old span with surfaces that have rusty delamination and steel members of the bridge that have deteriorated with section loss. A Supplemental Project Report (SPR) documents the proposal of revising the approved scope of the project from replacing the existing bridge deck and structural corroded steel span members, upgrading bridge railing, and retrofitting the bridge concrete columns to replacing the entire existing bridge over the Union Pacific Railroad (UPRR) track on State Route 1 (SR-1) in the City of Ventura. In addition, the existing bridge does not meet current UPRR grade separation requirements for horizontal clearance (from the centerline of tracks) and minimum vertical clearance (above top of rails). A special bridge inspection was conducted in May 2016 that identified substantial section loss at the top and bottom flanges of several steel beams spanning over the railroad tracks. In June 2021, Geotechnical and Structural Design units re-evaluated the earthquake loading demand, which was determined to be roughly 40% higher than what was estimated during the Advanced Plan Study (APS) stage. Furthermore, due to the bridge having been built in 1934 and all additional work items, the bridge Life-Cycle Cost Analysis was performed and revealed that replacing the complete bridge (instead of retrofitting) would be more cost-effective.
Length
The performance measure for this project is one (1) bridge, which includes 1,220 linear feet of bridge rail and 34,669 square feet of bridge replacement/new construction.
Benefits
The purpose of this project is to replace the entire bridge that spans over UPRR track. The replacement bridge will improve the area's aesthetics with a cleaner substructure due to the bridge's location near State beaches. The new bridge will improve safety for the traveling public and have increased resilience to earthquakes. This project is designed to preserve views along scenic coastal areas. It will also enhance bike and pedestrian accessibility to local beaches. Construction of this $68 million project is consistent with SB1 / State Highway Operational and Protection Program (SHOPP).
Schedule
Summer 2025 to Winter 2027.
Concerned Communities
Beach communities of Dulah, Faria, and Solimar, Ventura County and City of Ventura
FAQs
Q: Will this project close the freeway at any time?
A: The project will close two highway ramps for approximately two years: the State Beaches exit (72) to SR-1 (PCH), which will require motorists traveling north on U.S. 101 to continue about 6.5 miles to the Seacliff exit (78) to access beaches along SR-1; and the SR-1 on-ramp to southbound U.S. 101, requiring motorists, including beach community residents, to travel north to the Seacliff on-ramp to southbound U.S. 101.
Q: Will the ramp closures delay first responders from getting to medical, fire or other emergencies?
A: No. A special temporary ramp is being installed in the U.S. 101 median at Lease Canyon Road near the Dulah beach community to provide first responders quick access to SR-1. It also can be used in the event of an evacuation emergency. The public is prohibited from using the ramp that will be equipped with radio-controlled gates.
Q: What is the reason the special temporary ramp is not accessible to the public?
A: The ramp's design is substandard, and due to the limited right of way, it lacks the proper acceleration and deceleration merging distances. Additionally, the current project budget does not allow for necessary enhancements.
Q: Will this project be noisy at night?
A: Noise levels near project areas will be the same level as ordinary freeway traffic. Caltrans will monitor noise levels during construction to minimize the impact on local neighborhoods. If you experience excessive noise or dust related to this construction project, please contact Caltrans.
Contact Information
To receive email updates about this project, contact the Caltrans representative shown below.
Marc Bischoff
Public Information Officer
Caltrans - District 7
X, formerly Twitter: @CaltransDist7