Newhall Ranch Road Bridge Widening

Location

Newhall Ranch Road & McBean Parkway

City or County Responsible for Project

City of Santa Clarita

Category

Bridge: Efficient and Sustainable Bridge Maintenance, Construction and Reconstruction Projects

Author

Damon Letz

Organization

City of Santa Clarita – Public Works

Address

23920 Valencia Boulevard, Suite 304, Santa Clarita, CA 91355

Phone

661-255-4982

Project Description

The Newhall Ranch Road Bridge Widening over San Francisquito Creek is a $16M project that provided two more travel lanes, a raised median, barrier protected sidewalks, a bike trail, and trail connection underneath the bridge. As part of cross-valley connector, this project constructed the bridge to its ultimate width, removing a bottleneck condition, and improving traffic circulation. This project is consistent with the City’s General Plan and Circulation Element and supports SC2020, the City’s 5-year strategic plan. The Newhall Ranch Road Bridge over San Francisquito Creek was originally constructed with three lanes in each direction causing one lane in each direction to merge prior to entering the bridge. This project widens the bridge to match the existing street widths on both sides of the bridge eliminating the merge and adds a landscaped median improving traffic flow and public safety. As part of this project, paved trails were constructed underneath the bridge with interconnecting ramps to access the multi-use lanes on the bridge from all four corners. These trails are heavily used by residents for jogging, hiking and biking. Additionally, lights were installed on the inboard barriers to enhance public safety. Unique challenges on the project included transportation of precast girders, drilling and installation of CIDH piles in ground water, and coordination with utilities. There were several utility lines buried underneath the sidewalk of the existing bridge that had to be protected in-place during construction, such as a 750 kv electric transmission line, which required extensive coordination. Quality of life concerns, including traffic congestion and park/trail facilities consistently rank among the top for residents. In the most recent poll, 61% of residents claimed they were very satisfied with the system of trails and paseos. By providing a new 16’ wide trail undercrossing on the San Francisquito Creek Trail with a connecting overcrossing of the creek along the south side of the bridge, the Newhall Ranch Road bridge widening project closes two significant gaps in the City’s 40 mile trail system and supports 600 daily trips for trail users on average. Newhall Ranch Road is known as “cross-valley connector” a major road that connects interstate 5 to State Highway 14. This project improves cross-town traffic circulation and completes the transportation system in this area of the city providing easy access to schools, employment centers and shopping. This project exemplifies City’s commitment to enhance the quality of life enjoyed by its residents.