CALTRANS BRIDGE PROJECT

The Big Bear community will see the construction of a new bridge along a new alignment of State Route 18 over the canyon downstream from the dam at Big Bear Lake.  The bridge will incorporate 12-foot lanes, one 12-foot turn lane and 10-foot shoulders.  In addition, a 5-foot ADA compliant sidewalk will be constructed on one side of the bridge.  This project will ultimately realign and signalize the intersection of State Route 18 and State Route 38.

Scope of Project:
Beginning in February 2009 and continuing through summer 2011, this $40 million project will provide the following improvements.

bullet Brand new bridge
bullet Realign intersection SR 18 & SR 38
bullet Signalize intersection SR 18 & SR 38
bullet ADA accessible sidewalks
bullet Standard lanes/shoulders bullet Turn lane added

Purpose:
The Big Bear Bridge Project will ensure year-round access to Big Bear communities by providing well-needed standard lanes and shoulders, and separating the highway from the dam. The project will at the same time preserve and highlight the natural and cultural resources of the immediate area around the dam.

Traffic Management:
The new alignment is to take the roadbed off the existing dam because of the age of the dam and related stress the road puts on it.

bullet Work primarily on new alignment – minor disruption expected
bullet Certain phases will require one-way traffic control with flagging
bullet Delays are not expected to exceed 15 minutes
bullet Alternate routes available
bullet No weekend closures are planned for this project; work requiring lane restrictions are M-F 7am to 5pm.