SBCTA and the project design-build team, Traylor Granite Joint Venture (TGJV), are working diligently to reconstruct the Mt. Vernon Avenue Bridge and reconnect the southern and northern sections of West San Bernardino as soon as possible.
Since crews remobilized their work in the field in October 2023, there has been great progress made to reconstruct the Mt. Vernon Avenue Bridge, including relocating utilities between 2nd Street and 3rd Street to make room for construction of the new bridge.
In December 2023, the contractor began work on the foundation for the south bridge approach at 3rd Street and crews have completed building the bridge columns along 3rd Street. In early 2024, crews began working on the foundation for the new portion of the Mt. Vernon Avenue Bridge, north of the railyard at Kingman Street and Mt. Vernon Avenue. To safely perform work and create space for the work area, Mt. Vernon Avenue has been reduced to one lane in each direction from Kingman Street to just south of 5th Street.
This month, work continues on the bridge both north and south of the railyard. At 3rd Street, crews are currently working on wall installation for the south bridge approach and have begun work on the bridge abutments. This work requires moving and compacting dirt and installing pre-cast wall sections. Work on the bridge superstructure, or the overhead portion of the bridge above the bridge columns, is anticipated to begin at 3rd Street as early as May 29, 2024. In addition, at the north bridge approach near Kingman Street and Mt. Vernon Avenue, crews are building columns that will support the new bridge. This work requires installing rebar, setting formwork, pouring concrete and allowing time for the concrete to cure. Crews are working on a storm drain within the BNSF railyard to tie into the existing utilities.
SBCTA is optimistic that the new bridge will be completed and open to the public in summer 2025. In the meantime, SBCTA and Omnitrans have partnered to provide a free bus service to the communities adjacent to the bridge for the duration of the project.
Lastly, SBCTA has partnered with local businesses to create a bilingual business brochure to highlight local businesses in the area. Residents and commuters are encouraged to SHOP LOCAL during construction to support small businesses in the community. To learn more about the complimentary bus service provided by SBCTA and Omnitrans, and the bilingual business brochure, call 877-55-SBCTA or visit goSBCTA.com/mtvernonbridge.
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