Cottonwood Road at Outside Canal Bridge Replacement Project

Merced County, in coordination with the California Department of Transportation, is undertaking the replacement of the structurally deficient Cottonwood Road Bridge over Outside Canal, located approximately half a mile east of Orchard Road near Gustine, California. The project aims to enhance public safety by removing the existing bridge, designated as structurally deficient, and constructing a new structure that meets current engineering standards and can safely support legal and permitted vehicular loads. Construction will require a six-mile detour around Cottonwood Road and is scheduled to occur seasonally between November and March to minimize environmental disruption. The project is governed by the California Environmental Quality Act, with a Mitigated Negative Declaration adopted to address potential impacts, including noise, vibration, air quality, and effects on sensitive biological resources such as Swainson’s Hawk, California Tiger Salamander, Western Burrowing Owl, and Crotch’s Bumble Bee. Mitigation measures are outlined in a detailed Monitoring and Reporting Program recommended by the California Department of Fish and Wildlife, requiring specific actions to protect habitats and species during construction. Contract execution requires strict adherence to Caltrans and Merced County standards, including noise limits of 86 dBA at 50 feet during nighttime hours, compliance with the California Building Code for seismic and structural requirements, and implementation of stormwater and hazardous waste controls under NPDES, RCRA, and DTSC regulations. All personnel handling treated wood waste must be trained under Caltrans SSP 14-11.09, with proper labeling and disposal protocols. Asbestos-containing materials must be identified and managed by a certified consultant, and biological surveys must be conducted by qualified biologists using CNDDB-approved protocols. Acoustical and vibration analyses must be performed by licensed professionals to meet county policy thresholds. Inspections and acceptance occur on-site, with oversight from Merced County’s Department of Public Works, supported by regulatory agencies including the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers and regional water boards. While no formal contract value, payment office, or procurement type is specified, the project is administered through the County’s Public Works office with Alvaro Buenrostro as the primary point of contact. Environmental submissions require 15 hardcopies and electronic filing, with no formal solicitation number, clause requirements, or socioeconomic set-asides identified in the documentation.