Refugio Bridge Replacement

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Other Agencies with Actions or Authorizations: Department of the Interior, Fish and Wildlife Service Department of Commerce, National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration California Department of the Army, US Army Corps of Engineers - Regulatory Description: The California Department of Transportation (Caltrans) proposes to replace the existing Refugio Road Undercrossing Bridges (#51-0215R and #51-0215L) along State Route 101 near Refugio State Beach in Santa Barbara County between postmiles (PM) 36.1 and 37.1. This project was initiated after concrete core testing and an inspection of the structures by Caltrans Structure Maintenance and Investigations documented the presence of alkali-silica reactive aggregate in the concrete and recommended that both structures be completely replaced. A detailed Advanced Planning Study was prepared by Caltrans Structures Design and four proposed bridge design alternatives were identified for bridge replacement.   The proposed improvements would maintain the existing northbound and southbound traffic lanes, maintain the same bridge lengths, alignments, profiles, and provide safety improvements including upgraded bridge rails. Bridge supports such as abutments and bents vary by project alternative. Each new bridge is proposed to be six feet and four inches wider than the existing structures. In addition to replacing the bridges, rails on the smaller northbound on-ramp bridge would be upgraded. The concrete-grouted rock slope protection in Refugio Creek would be modified to provide adequate passage for anadromous fish. Permanent vegetation control would be installed under metal beam guardrail, and at the gore tip of the southbound Refugio Road off-ramp.

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