Elkhorn Slough N. Abutment Scour Repair

Caltrans District 5 is undertaking emergency slope reinforcement and scour repair work at the Elkhorn Slough Bridge on Highway 1 in Moss Landing, California, specifically targeting the northwest and northeast sides of the bridge alignment and the south abutment. The project is driven by immediate structural concerns and must be executed with strict adherence to federal and state environmental regulations, particularly those protecting federally listed species such as the southern sea otter, tidewater goby, western snowy plover, and steelhead. All work is confined to daylight hours, with no in-water activities permitted during rain events exceeding 0.5 inch in 24 hours or at night. Prohibited materials include gabions, concrete mats, tires, and rubble; instead, bioengineering techniques and sediment controls like straw bales and silt fences are mandated. A 49-foot exclusion zone around southern sea otters must be maintained, and all personnel are required to receive training on species identification and reporting protocols. Fueling and equipment maintenance must occur at least 100 feet from tidal habitats. Daily biologist monitoring is mandatory before and during work to verify the absence of protected species, and any detection triggers an immediate halt until coordination with NMFS and USFWS is completed. The project is funded under Federal-Aid Project Number 0522000037 and operates under CEQA exemption but is fully bound by ESA Section 7 requirements and Central Coast Regional Water Quality Control Board regulations. Key deliverables include a comprehensive post-construction report submitted within 45 days of completion, containing as-built drawings, before-and-after photographs, documented species sightings, and confirmation of habitat mitigation. No monetary contract value is specified in the available documentation, and traditional federal acquisition clauses, pricing details, evaluation factors, or contracting officer information are absent, indicating this appears to be an environment-led emergency repair project with compliance, not procurement, as the central framework. Site inspections occur on location, and final acceptance rests with Caltrans and federal agencies after verification of all environmental conditions and reporting obligations. The project emphasizes ecological preservation over standard construction metrics, with all activities designed to minimize disturbance, avoid wet weather impacts, and restore native habitat following repair.