BRADLEY — A bridge retrofit project began Friday at the San Antonio River Bridge near Bradley, resulting in a four-month closure of the northbound lanes of Highway 101.
The bridge, located north of the Camp Roberts Rest Areas and about a mile south of the Bradley Road exit, is actually two separate structures, each of which carries two lanes of traffic. Retrofit work is taking place on the northbound structure, which requires a complete long-term closure of that bridge span.
While the northbound bridge is closed for construction, highway traffic will be detoured across the median divider to the southbound bridge. This will reduce traffic to one lane in each direction, using the two available lanes across the southbound bridge. Both lanes will be under reduced speed limits.
The crossover and the closure of the northbound bridge are expected to last through April 2021.
“Message and directional signs will be in place to assist motorists traveling in the area,” Caltrans said in a news release. “Motorists are advised to expect delays of up to five minutes and to allow extra time for their travel.”
The $3.94 million project involves a retrofit of bridge joint restrainers, the resurfacing of bridge decks and installation of scour protection for bridge foundations. Highway signs, markers, guardrails and concrete barriers will also be replaced to improve highway safety.
Additional site improvements include highway planting, irrigation, erosion protection and fencing.
Whitaker Construction Group Inc. of Paso Robles is the contractor for the project, which is expected to conclude in August 2021.
