State Route 154 Alamo Pintado Creek Pedestrian Bridge Project

 

 

Project Description

The 1912 Alamo Pintado Creek Pedestrian Bridge (bridge number 51-0076Y) was located at post mile R2.6 on the south side of State Route 154 in Los Olivos in Santa Barbara County. In 1971, a new bridge structure—Alamo Pintado Creek Bridge (bridge number 51-0076)—was built upstream of the existing structure. The new bridge was built on a new State Route 154 alignment 40 feet upstream, north, from the original structure. At that time, local citizens contacted the state to leave the 1912 structure so it could be used as a pedestrian, equestrian, and bicyclist trail bridge. Concrete footing encasements were built around the pile caps of the existing structure. However, these encasements eventually became exposed and undermined.

A bridge inspection on September 28, 2011, was used to prepare a Bridge Needs Report dated March 29, 2012. The report determined the abandoned bridge was no longer stable with respect to gravity load, and the bridge was sinking slowly at the supports. In the inspection report, recommendations were made to retrofit the bridge or simply remove the bridge. Since those recommendations were made, it was determined that retrofitting the substructure would result in significant substructure modifications, including seismic retrofitting, scour mitigation, embankment armoring, and foundation retrofitting, all at significant cost.

Following the identification of this project need, Caltrans removed the abandoned Alamo Pintado Creek Pedestrian Bridge, and the retaining wall next to the bridge, and added rock slope protection to protect the channel banks from erosion. The bridge superstructure was removed from above the creek, and the piers and foundation were removed from below and within the creek. Construction was completed in accordance with standardized project measures that are used on most, if not all, Caltrans projects. Completed mitigation measures for the historic bridge include the development of public interpretive content and exhibits and professional photographic and written documentation. Additionally, grading and bank restoration occurred in the project area with the addition of native trees, flowering native understory plants, and willow cuttings. This plant establishment effort is currently restoring the native habitat along the bridge and pathway and is anticipated to be complete in November 2025.

District 5 Project Landscape Architect Katherine Brown is quoted by KSBY as saying the following: “This is an exemplary project preserving cultural heritage and mature trees, integrating complete streets elements, and providing a safe route to schools. The sustainable reuse of existing stone addresses community concerns to retain the historic charm of the old bridge, and the new structure will maintain crucial multi-modal bike, pedestrian, and equestrian connections. Full-color enamel interpretive displays were placed on the bridge railing, highlighting local history, the evolution of transportation modes, native flora and fauna, and the historic significance of the ‘jack arch’ construction technique used in the 1912 bridge.”

• The interpretive displays, designed by Corby Kilmer Senior Landscape Architect, include information on local history with a focus on changing transportation modes which shaped the development of Los Olivos - such as walking trails, horses, stagecoaches, the railroad, the bicycle and the automobile.
• The specific Interpretive panels include: the First People of the Region (native Chumash tribe); Ranchos Legacy; Stagecoaches and Stations; Narrow railways; Two-Wheeled (bicycle) and Four-Wheeled vehicles (automobile); and the historic significance of the ‘jack arch’ construction technique used in the 1912 bridge and the local significance of the Alamo Pintado Creek name, Spanish for ‘Painted Cottonwood’ Tree.
• The new single-span bridge will allow better flow in the creek.
• The historic salvaged stone gathered during the old bridge’s demolition was taken to the mason’s yard for cleaning and sorting for type, color and size, and was labeled for the future reuse of laying and mortaring the salvaged stone on the new bridge stone railing.
• Disturbed areas in and around the creek are being replanted with appropriate native species which will contribute to the health of the creek and add to the beauty of the riparian setting.
• This project aligns well with the Caltrans Mission Statement, "Caltrans’ mission is to provide a safe, reliable transportation network that serves all people and respects the environment.”

 

 

Project Benefits

Purpose

• The purpose of this project is to reduce the risk of a bridge failure. This objective has been fulfilled through the subsequent accomplishment of the project.

Need

• A Bridge Inspection Report (September 28, 2011) identified critical scour of the pile and pier foundation of the abandoned highway bridge (bridge number 51-0076Y) at post mile R2.6 on the south side of State Route 154. The report concluded the bridge structure was no longer stable with respect to gravity loads. Creek channel degradation has resulted in heavily exposed bridge piles, causing the bridge to sink at its supports.

 

Estimated Funding Breakdown

 

Partnerships

• County Riding and Hiking Trails Advisory Committee
• Historic Landmarks Advisory Commission
• Santa Barbara County Supervisor Joan Hartmann

 

Proposed Project Schedule

 

Project Contact

Sherri Martin, Project Manager
Phone: 805-788-8973
Email: sherri.martin@dot.ca.gov

Lucas Marsalek, Senior Environmental Scientist (Supervisor)
Phone: 805-458-5408
Email: lucas.marsalek@dot.ca.gov

Corby Kilmer, Senior Landscape Architect
Phone: 805-721-2805
Email: corby.kilmer@dot.ca.gov

 

News and Events

News Articles

• KSBY-TV
• edhat

 

Pictures

Click here to view the project pictures

 

Documents

Accessibility Assistance: Caltrans makes every attempt to ensure our documents are accessible. Due to variances between assistive technologies, there may be portions of this document which are not accessible. Where documents cannot be made accessible, we are committed to providing alternative access to the content. Should you need additional assistance, please contact us at (916) 654-2852 or visit https://dot.ca.gov/request-ada-compliant-documents.

• Initial Study with Mitigated Negative Declaration - FINAL (PDF 4.6 MB)

In collaboration with JRP Historical Consulting, LLC and Far Western Anthropological Research Group, Inc, Caltrans presents this booklet, The Alamo Pintado Creek Bridge, Los Olivos, California: Built in 1912. It was prepared as part of an agreement between Caltrans and the California State Historic Preservation Officer (SHPO) as a component of the mitigation to remove the historic bridge.

• The Alamo Pintado Creek Bridge, Los Olivos, California: Built in 1912

Title VI Information

The California Department of Transportation (Caltrans) assures that no person shall, on the basis of race, color, or national origin, be excluded from participation in, be denied the benefits of, or be otherwise subjected to discrimination under any program or activity receiving Federal financial assistance, as required by Title VI of the Civil Rights Act of 1964, as amended, the Civil Rights Restoration Act of 1987, and Federal Executive Order 12898 (Federal Actions to Address Environmental Justice in Minority Populations and Low-Income Populations).

Caltrans will make every effort to ensure nondiscrimination in all of its programs and activities, whether they are federally funded or not, and that services and benefits are fairly distributed to all people, regardless of race, color, or national origin. In addition, Caltrans will facilitate meaningful participation in the transportation planning process in a nondiscriminatory manner.

Title VI Brochures

Title VI brochures in various languages