Los Verjeles Road Bridge Replacement

 

Location

Los Verjeles Road over South Honcut Creek

City or County Responsible for Project

Yuba County

Category

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

Description

The Los Verjeles Road Bridge Replacement Project addressed critical structural deficiencies of a 1940-era single-span bridge located approximately 4.5 miles northeast of Loma Rica, spanning both Yuba and Butte Counties. The original bridge, with a sufficiency rating of 28.3, had become functionally obsolete and load-limited, creating safety risks for residents, commercial traffic, and emergency responders. Its deteriorated condition threatened mobility along this vital rural corridor, affecting communities in both counties.

The project replaced the aging structure with a modern reinforced concrete bridge measuring approximately 110 feet in length and 36 feet in width, featuring two 12-foot travel lanes with 4-foot shoulders. Roadway approaches were reconstructed and widened to improve alignment, sight distance, and geometry. Retaining walls and Mechanically Stabilized Earth (MSE) walls were installed along both abutments, and rock slope protection keyed into existing grades prevented scour and erosion. Complementary roadway improvements, including aggregate base placement, hot mix asphalt paving, guardrail installation, and traffic striping, enhance long-term durability and functionality of the corridor.

Constructed over an active creek channel within a steep ravine, the project faced logistical challenges. The new bridge was built at a higher elevation than the old structure, requiring removal of the original bridge before construction could begin. To maintain safe worker access, the contractor installed a temporary pedestrian bridge. The project also involved the delivery and placement of four 107-foot pre-cast concrete girders—a complex task given the limited site access and terrain.

Safety, sustainability, and environmental stewardship were priorities. Enhanced drainage features, including catch basins and outfalls, minimized erosion and sedimentation risks along South Honcut Creek, while best management practices such as silt fences, fiber rolls, and confined staging protected sensitive areas. Ten field change orders totaling $122,660 addressed unforeseen subsurface conditions, drainage refinements, and environmental compliance requirements.

Completed in May 2025 at a cost of $8,197,279, the project was funded through the Highway Bridge Program, Yuba County Road Fund, and contributions from Butte County. Collaboration among Yuba County, Steelhead Constructors JV, Knight CM Group, and regulatory agencies was key to the project’s success. Rigorous inspections, adherence to CEQA requirements, and proactive environmental monitoring ensured compliance and optimized outcomes.

The new bridge provides significant improvements in safety, accessibility, structural integrity, and flood resilience, benefiting residents, commercial traffic, and emergency services in both Yuba and Butte Counties. Engineering solutions (including MSE walls, rock slope protection, improved drainage, and durable concrete foundations) provide a replicable model for other counties addressing aging infrastructure in environmentally sensitive settings. By improving mobility, enhancing safety, preserving critical infrastructure, and minimizing environmental impacts, the Los Verjeles Road Bridge Replacement Project exemplifies innovation, efficiency, and sustainability in rural bridge design and construction.