SR-186 All-American Canal Bridge Project

The California Department of Transportation, through District 11 – San Diego, is undertaking the replacement of the existing bridge over the All-American Canal on State Route 186 in southeastern Imperial County, California, between post miles 0.5 and 2.0. The project will construct a new 580-foot-long segmental concrete bridge just north of the current structure, designed to carry two 12-foot-wide travel lanes, one in each direction, with eight-foot-wide shoulders and six-foot-wide pedestrian sidewalks on both sides. Tubular railing will be installed atop concrete barriers along the bridge’s edges. SR-186 will be realigned across approximately 1.5 miles to connect seamlessly with the new bridge’s abutments, terminating at the intersection with Interstate 8. The scope includes comprehensive drainage improvements, landscaping, right-of-way acquisitions, utility relocations, and the protection of environmentally sensitive areas, particularly near the U.S.-Mexico border and the Andrade Port of Entry. The project is subject to stringent environmental and cultural resource compliance measures governed by Caltrans-specific standards rather than standard FAR clauses. Key requirements include the implementation of a Lead Compliance Plan certified by a Certified Industrial Hygienist for any lead-containing paint disturbance, a Site-Specific Plan for the handling and disposal of treated wood waste, and stormwater management protocols aligned with local air quality and erosion control mandates. Contractors must deploy qualified personnel including archaeological and Native American monitors, a paleontologist with regional expertise, and an Environmental Construction Liaison to oversee compliance during all ground-disturbing activities. Pre-construction meetings, field verification of environmental sensitivity areas, and vibration and air quality monitoring are mandatory, with all work constrained by a construction period from December 26, 2027, to December 3, 2029. The project relies on environmental documentation including historic property surveys, visual impact assessments, paleontological reviews, and a Finding of No Adverse Effect, with submission of multiple technical reports as part of compliance verification. Oversight is managed by a team of Caltrans representatives including the Resident Engineer, Environmental Engineering, and the Senior Bridge Specialist, with no identified contract options, award methodology, or fixed pricing provided in the documentation.