Costly plan to replace Incline weathers series of delays
PCH — Devastating tsunamis, scenic views, pollution and traffic — these are just some of the things city engineers must consider as they prepare for the replacement of the California Incline bridge.
City Hall is embarking on a 10-month, nearly $10-million replacement project for the ailing California Incline, a three-lane roadway built in 1930 that allows drivers to access Ocean Avenue and Palisades Beach Road from the Pacific Coast Highway, and vice versa.
The bridge is classified as “structurally deficient,” meaning the replacement project will be funded primarily by federal funds through the Highway Bridge Replacement and Rehabilitation Program, according to Craig Perkins, City Hall’s director of environmental and public works management.
The federal government has agreed to pick up 80 percent of the bill, with the city paying for the remaining 20 percent, or an estimated $1.995 million, said a spokesman for Cal- Trans, which will be monitoring the project. City Hall is in charge with construction.
Perkins said he would like the project to go before the council for final approval sometime in January 2007, with construction to commence shortly afterwards.
The project has been more than 10 years in the making, with numerous delays holding it back, Perkins said. During that time, costs for construction have risen dramatically, from an estimated $3.5 million in 1995 to the current estimate of $9.975 million. With construction costs rising by an estimated 30 percent in the last three years, Perkins said he is not looking to wait any longer.
“We’re moving on this with urgency,” said Perkins, who insists the bridge is still stable for everyday use, but in need of reinforcements.
City staff is currently seeking the public’s input on the project as it begins drafting the Environmental Impact Report, which details the project’s potential effects on the environment, including how it will impact traffic, noise levels, commerce, native plants and other concerns. The city held a scoping meeting last week with residents, at which time they were able to review an initial study and offer suggestions on how to mitigate the potential negative effects.
The public can view the initial study at all local libraries. Suggestions can be submitted in writing up until 5:30 p.m., May 29. Suggestions should be addressed to: Jim Creager, civil engineering division, 1918 Main Street, 90405, or faxed to (310) 393-4425. Creager’s e-mail is
In the initial study, traffic looks to be impacted significantly as both sides of the incline will be closed during the length of the project. This would force drivers to find alternative routes into the city from PCH, such as using the 1-10 Freeway and the Fourth Street exit or taking West Channel Road and weaving through the Santa Monica Canyon to 7th Street.
“The big question is, how are people going to get up and down the incline and would this project worsen traffic downtown?” posed Kathy Dodson, president of the Santa Monica Chamber of Commerce, which has not taken an official position on the replacement project. “There has been talk that this needs to be done, but most are waiting to learn more about the project and see how things develop before making any type of determination.”
“The big question is, how are people going to get up and down the incline and would this project worsen traffic downtown?” — KATHY DODSON PRESIDENT SANTA MONICA CHAMBER OF COMMERCE
There was some concern that the incline replacement would take place at the same time as upgrades to the bridge leading from Ocean Avenue to the pier, however, Perkins said the incline replacement will be completed before the pier project begins.
The bridge has been designated an historic landmark, which also poses some challenges for the city as it tries to preserve or recreate key elements of the design, such as the railing and lower buttresses. The preliminary study also identifies the need to mitigate potential impacts to air quality and the level of noise created by construction, as well as any impacts to Palisades Park, which is directly adjacent to the incline bridge.
No new lanes will be added, keeping the incline a three-lane roadway, meaning it will not accommodate more vehicles, the preliminary study said.
Overall, consultants hired by City Hall to conduct the preliminary study said the project may “have a potentially significant impact” unless mitigation measures are taken.
Originally published in the Santa Monica Daily Press print edition on May 16, 2006. Read the original PDF.