Seismic retrofit of Lopez Drive Bridge begins

Work begins Monday to prepare Lopez Drive Bridge in Arroyo Grande for a seismic retrofit.

This first phase of work consists of installing environmental equipment to allow for retrofitting work to start later this spring.

Work is expected to run from Monday, Jan. 30 through Wednesday, March 1, from 8:30 a.m. to 4 p.m. and 6 p.m. to 7 a.m. Monday through Friday, weather permitting.

Construction signs and lane closures with flagging will be placed in advance of the work to notify the traveling public. Motorists may experience intermittent delays at this location and are advised to adjust their travel plans due to those delays. Please see attached map for the exact location.

The retrofit is a public-safety project expected to begin later this year. Strengthening the seismically vulnerable bridge now will prevent a sudden bridge collapse during an earthquake event. Retrofitting will consist of constructing new support columns and seismic cable restraints beneath the bridge.

Shimmick Construction Company, Inc. has been awarded the contract for $9,268,771 to perform the work. The project is funded by the Federal Highway Administration via grant funding administered by the Caltrans Highway Bridge Program.

For more information, please contact Michael Boyce at (805) 781-5264.