The following status report on road projects in the Santa Clarita Valley was provided by Richard Yribe of the Los Angeles County Department of Public Works:
• Sierra Highway over the Santa Clara River – This project to widen the northbound bridge and replace the southbound bridge is being designed and administered by the County under the Federal Highway Bridge Program. The project is jurisdictionally shared between the County and the City of Santa Clarita. It is anticipated that the project will start in early 2009.
• Sierra Highway over the Southern California Regional Rail Authority- This project to rehabilitate and replace the existing northbound and southbound bridges is being designed and administered by the City of Santa Clarita under the Federal Highway Bridge Program. The project is jurisdictionally shared between the County and the City of Santa Clarita. The City of Santa Clarita advertised this project for construction bids on November 20, 2005. Construction is expected to be completed in early 2008.
• Soledad Canyon Road over Santa Clara River- This project to replace the existing bridge is being designed and administered by the County under the Federal Highway Bridge Program. It is anticipated that the project will start in the Summer 2010.
• The Old Road from Lake Hughes Road to Hillcrest Parkway – This project to widen The Old Road from Lake Hughes Road to Hillcrest Parkway to four lanes will be financed with funds from the Castaic Bridge and Thoroughfare Construction Fee District. The project will also include bike lanes. Intersection of lake Hughes and parker Road will be concrete. Total cost is estimated at $8-$10 million. A portion of the cost is available in B&T fees, however, need to identify additional funding. Pending funding, the project is tentatively scheduled to start in early 2010 and be completed in 2011.
• The Old Road over Castaic Creek – This project will involve retrofitting the existing bridge to current seismic standards. The project cost will be partially financed with Federal funds, with the remaining non-Federally reimbursable local agency share being financed by the County. The project is tentatively scheduled to start in early 2010.
• The Old Road over Santa Clara River – This project to replace the bridge is currently is being designed and administered by the County under the Federal Highway Bridge Program. The new bridge will be upgraded from four to six lanes. The bridge will be elevated out of the flood area. Also looking at replacing railroad bridge with this project, however, no funding has been secured for the railroad bridge. The project will involve phased construction so there will be no closure of the bridge during construction. Newhall Land is preparing addendum to EIR. The project is tentatively scheduled to be advertised for construction bids in Fiscal Year 2009-10.