San Bernardino resumes construction on Second Street bridge

After a lengthy delay caused by Southern California Edison (SCE) and winter storms, San Bernardino has resumed work on the 2nd Street bridge.

The bridge project, located between Arrowhead and Sierra Way over Warm Creek, consists of replacing 4 lanes of traffic, installation of a drainage system, and slope stabilization.

Construction has been delayed since last June to allow SCE to install temporary electrical lines that bypassed the bridge. Then, winter stormwater flow in Warm Creek needed to subside.

The city awarded a contract a $2.6 million contract to Irvine-based Ortiz Enterprises last year after a Caltrans inspection found the 2nd Street Bridge was deteriorating and the structure had a reduced ability to resist earthquake loads.

Last summer, the contractor started demolition work and requested Southern California Edison (SCE) to deenergize existing power lines attached to the bridge. SCE staff informed the City that they could not turn the power off during the summer peak consumption period and couldn’t by-pass the system until the winter months. In late December, SCE erected 4 temporary poles, 100-foot-tall, two on each side of the bridge for the electrical power by-pass.

Construction is expected to be completed in May or June.