ENCINITAS — The city will begin repairs to the San Elijo Bridge this fall.
The Encinitas City Council quickly passed its two-item agenda on Aug. 17 that included a contract with Shaw Equipment Rentals for $248,051, plus a $74,000 contingency for repair work on the San Elijo Bridge.
The bridge, originally installed in 1934, spans the mouth of the San Elijo Lagoon in Cardiff. The bridge was first built at 183 feet long and 40 feet wide, and later expanded to 215 feet in length and 71 feet wide in 1953. Over the years, the bridge connects cars, bicycles and pedestrians from south Cardiff to Solana Beach via South Coast Highway 101 , has undergone periodic repairs, but in the last few years it has presented some serious problems.
Two years ago, a pavement failure occurred, leaving a significant portion of a north abutment exposed, according to city staff. In 2019, the city performed emergency repairs to some concrete on the underside of the bridge. The following year, the city found a 3-foot void present beneath the destroyed pavement.
“If this repair is not done, the sinkhole will continue to grow as more backfill washes out behind the abutment,” city engineers wrote in a report. “Delaying this work is likely to have multi-modal impacts on circulation and affect the cycle lane and vehicle lane.”
Repairs are expected to begin in the fall with a winter completion time. The scope of the work includes installation of new filling, crack and pavement repair, sealing of the facility and replacement of guard rails.
A bridge abutment connects the surface of the bridge to the ground at both ends of the bridge and helps support the weight of the bridge. Backfill is typically soil used to strengthen the foundation of the trip.
Oral Communications
During the meeting, the council heard from 10 members of the public about various concerns, including traffic, child safety around cannabis, and concerns with the city’s ability to fulfill public records requests.
An item for discussion, banning the use of tobacco within city limits, was brought to the council by local teacher and resident, Trina Priest.
Encinitas Environmental Commission in July recommended the City Council adopt an ordinance banning smoking of all tobacco products in public spaces, limiting exemptions to smoking on private property or in a moving vehicle. This move has been a trend across California — most recently with Vista considering an ordinance.
“As a mother and middle school teacher, I would love to add my support to this idea,” she said. “Smoking and vaping behaviors affect everyone who is exposed. Poor health costs money and affects public health and medical resources.”
Mayor Catherine Blakespear said the public will see an item on the topic before the council at an upcoming meeting.
