 | | | Artist's rendering of completed new Canyon Road Bridge Image courtesy Moraga Public Works Department | | | | | | The original Canyon Road Bridge, built in 1936, that connected Moraga with Canyon over the San Leandro Creek, was replaced by a temporary bridge following a damaging landslide that occurred near the area in 2017. Last year saw the completion of Phase I (installation of the new inbound lane) and the removal of the temporary bridge. The project was put on hold during the winter months in consideration of potentially construction-disruptive rain, which never really proved a factor this past season.
A Phase II update to the town council on April 14 was delivered by Public Works Director/Town Engineer Shawn Knapp, who briefly outlined the upcoming project's continuation. The new construction will address the installation of the outbound lane over the creek, while the foundation of the temporary bridge will remain, for now, to help secure and protect the new permanent bridge.
Additional features to the finished project will include pedestrian lighting, bike lanes, and a reopening of the Lafayette-Moraga Regional Trail between Valle Vista to Westchester (this pedestrian bridge section of the trail was closed by the town due to the landslide movement). An overall landscaping and restoration of the site project will follow. Phase II is expected to be completed sometime in November.
According to Knapp's presentation, the Highway Bridge Program's approved costs, as of March 12, totaled $11,937,250. HBP will fund $10,568,047 and Contra Costa Transportation Authority Measure J - Major Streets Funding will contribute $76,442 toward design and $362,000 for construction. The town is budgeting to use $780,000 from its Measure J (Return to Source) toward its contribution of costs. |
Lamorinda Weekly, Moraga CA