Anonymous
Source: Santa Barbara County Public Works
Santa Barbara County Public Works began work on the Ashley Road Bridge replacement located between East Mountain Drive and Sycamore Canyon Road. Granite Construction started work on the project on July 22, 2019 and will tentatively finish by the end of the year.
The original bridge that was built in 1918 was severely damaged during the 1/9 Debris Flow. Stone railings were demolished and washed away downstream and the spandrel wall along the right side of the arch was significantly damaged. Sections of the abutments had broken away and washed downstream. The original bridge was demolished and replaced with a temporary bridge for emergency use only in June 2018. The closure of the bridge has caused circulation problems for the residents in the Ashley Road area of Montecito.
Santa Barbara County Public Works expedited this project as part of the continuous process of restoring transportation connectivity to Montecito. Steps have been taken to make sure the new bridge reflects the natural environment of the neighborhood and honors the historical significance of the old bridge. Project Manager Charlie Elbert said, “We took the recently completed Casa Dorinda bridge and used it in our specifications for what the new bridge will look like. We’re trying to provide Montecito residents and visitors with a bridge that has the same look and feel as before the debris flow.”
Funding for the $1.7 million project is provided by FEMA Federal Aid for Disaster funding ($1.3M), California Office of Emergency Services State Aid for Disaster funding ($340,000), and the Santa Barbara County General Fund ($113,000). For a list of scheduled road projects and road closures, visit PWSB.net, or contact the Transportation Division of County Public Works, (805)739-8750.
