Overhaul of historic bridge gets green light

Extensive repairs and upgrades to the historic North Torrey Pines Bridge, labeled by the state as “structurally deficient,” should be completed in four to five years.
The city would complete its design and environmental study of the project in 20 to 24 months, and construction would last 24 to 36 months, Del Mar Public Works Director David Scherer told the City Council on Monday night.

“After many years of work, the state and federal highway administrations have given the city – its project – a green light to move forward,” Scherer said.

The 74-year-old, two-lane, seaside bridge received the lowest rating among 87 aging county bridges deemed “structurally deficient” during state inspections in October, scoring 15 out of 100.

During a review of all the state's bridges in the late 1990s, Caltrans determined that the North Torrey Pines Bridge needed seismic retrofitting. The bridge's height and span, and its crossing over a rail line, were factors in determining its rating and meant the improvements were critical, Caltrans said.

Although the bridge is stable and safe for everyday use, it would not survive a major earthquake, California Department of Transportation engineers determined.

On Monday, the City Council approved a contract not to exceed $3 million for Simon Wong Engineering to perform seismic retrofit and rehabilitation design and environmental studies.