Fremont Avenue Bridge Replacement

Project Name: Fremont Avenue Bridge Replacement Location (if applicable): Fremont Avenue at Permanente Creek City or County Responsible for Project: City of Los Altos Category: Efficient and Sustainable Road and Bridge Preservation, Maintenance and Construction and Reconstruction Projects Contact Information Submitted by: Chris Lamm Title: Engineering Services Manager Organization: City of Los Altos Address: 1 N. San Antonio Road, Los Altos, CA 94022 Telephone: (650) 947-2624 E-mail: clamm@lostaltosca.gov Narrative Description of Your Entry Fremont Avenue is a principle collector urban road within Los Altos, California. The existing Fremont Avenue Bridge carried two lanes of vehicle traffic and pedestrian traffic on one side of the bridge on Fremont Avenue over Permanente Creek between Hazelaar Way and Miramonte Avenue. Constructed in 1915, the bridge was classified as structurally deficient prompting replacement. The new bridge, completed in 2016, consists of two travel lanes, two five-foot bike lanes, and an ADA compliant sidewalk on the Southern side of the structure. Vehicular Safety and Preservation Enhancements The bridge was classified as structurally deficient prompting replacement due to substandard railing, cracking, spalling in the girders and deck and overall geometry of the structure. The existing bridge had one narrow sidewalk of the Southern half of the bridge and no bike lanes. During the design phase of the project, public community meetings were held with local residents, engineering staff from the City, and the City’s design engineers in order to evaluate different aesthetic alternatives and landscaping features for the project. Through collaboration and teamwork with the different stakeholders, aesthetic features such as stone veneer, stamped concrete railing and color schemes were selected to match the rural feel of the adjacent community. Stakeholders also favored deletion of the proposed sidewalk on the Northern edge of the bridge, instead favoring to retain and preserve the separate and adjacent timber pedestrian bridge across the creek. The newly constructed Fremont Avenue Bridge was designed to provide a clear and un-obstructed travel way along Fremont Avenue. The new bridge incorporates an ADA compliant pathway on the Southern side of the bridge and five-foot bike lanes in both directions of travel. Additionally, careful consideration was made to preserve mature trees in close proximity to the bridge, including modifications to the Easterly abutment during construction to ensure the health and wellness of a large Oak which was a highly important asset to the local community. Sustainable Design Features This project treats stormwater runoff from Fremont Avenue through a bioswale prior to entering Permanente Creek, which was above and beyond the standard requirements due to the size of construction and disturbed area. A raised planter and pedestrian overlook located on the bridge presents a unique