Photo shows the Limekiln Creek Bridge on Hwy 1 at Limekiln State Park. Caltrans is beginning a major study as part of a $102 million bridge replacement project. Photo courtesy Caltrans
Caltrans is starting another major bridge project on Hwy 1 through Big Sur and motorists will again face traffic controls for the next few months.
Caltrans is working on a project to replace the Limekiln Creek Bridge in Monterey County, a spot just south of Lucia.
“The proposed project,” reads a project description on the project webpage, “lies exclusively within the Limekiln State Park property. The entrance to Limekiln State Park is directly off the highway at the southern abutment of the bridge. There is also access to the beach from Limekiln State Park underneath the Limekiln Creek Bridge.”
Caltrans began a geotechnical study of the creek bed on Sept. 28. It has set up 1-way alternating traffic controls over the bridge while the survey work is being done.
“A northbound lane and shoulder closure along the bridge,” said a news release from Dist. 5 spokesman Ashton Harris “will result in flagged one-way reversing traffic control from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. Monday through Friday. Drilling takes place during daytime hours to follow all state and local requirements to protect groundwater and the environment.”
They plan to bore six small test holes through the deck of the current bridge, in order to check out the soil and underlying rock before finishing the design and engineering of the new bridge.
Harris explained, “This work uses a closed, water circulating drilling system and rock coring methods to safely obtain samples. The investigation ensures that engineers have the information they need to design a safe and durable replacement bridge.”
The traffic controls will include message boards and directional signage warning of the construction zone ahead. Travelers can expect a 10-minute delay through the area, which will be open again at night. The work is slated to continue through mid-November but access to Limekiln State Park will remain open.
The actual replacement project is still a couple years off though.
“The project,” Harris told Estero Bay News. “Is currently in the Plans, Specifications, & Estimates phase. The project is estimated to go out to bid in late 2028, and construction is estimated to run from 2029 to 2034.”
The bridge was completed in 1957 and according to the project website, the estimated construction cost to replace it is listed as $102.36 million.
Though it may still look sturdy enough, Caltrans has known for over a decade now that it’s rusting away from the inside out
“The existing bridge consists of eight piers and two abutments and is approximately 580-feet long and experiencing deterioration,” the website explained. “The project is needed due to chloride intrusion in the concrete of Limekiln Creek Bridge, which was confirmed with concrete core testing and inspections by Caltrans’ Structure Maintenance and Investigations Team in 2012.”
Damage to the superstructure and the bridge’s substructure (rebar) was caused by chloride intrusion “from pervasive salt-laden fog,” Caltrans said. “This has resulted in frequent concrete cracking and reinforced steel and cable corrosion. There have also been recurring slope stability problems at the north abutment caused by powerful waves. There have been attempts to stabilize this slope; however, it is not possible to permanently stabilize it.”
Caltrans wanted to better stabilize the eroding north abutment slope but they hit a seawall — the Coastal Commission.
“There is a permit requirement (Coastal Development Permit 3-09-020) from the California Coastal Commission to remove the existing slope armoring,” Caltrans said. “As a result of these issues, the need for replacing the existing bridge was identified by the Structure Maintenance and Investigations peer review committee in its October 2012 meeting.”
The drilling is anticipated to be pretty noisy and Caltrans is warning the public. State Parks will close a handful of campsites near the work zone.
“California State Parks,” Harris said, “will temporarily close Limekiln State Park campsites four through 12 during the geotechnical operations. Public access to the beach will remain open throughout this period, and all other State Parks services and operations will continue without interruption.”
EBN asked Harris for a rendering of what the new bridge will look like but he said they don’t yet have one, as the design work hasn’t gotten that far.
“We do not have a rendering at this time,” he said, “and will update the project website as graphics become available.
Harris said project information, photos, cost breakdowns and environmental documents are or will be posted on the project website, see: dot.ca.gov/caltrans-near-me/district-5/district-5-current-projects/05-1f510.
