State Route 246 CAPM and Robinson Bridge Replacement

Caltrans District 5 is proposing the State Route 246 CAPM and Robinson Bridge Replacement project in Lompoc, California. The primary scope of work involves replacing the Santa Ynez River Bridge at post mile 9.82 and preserving 21.7 lane miles of flexible Class 2 pavement using Capital Preventive Maintenance strategies, including rubberized hot mix asphalt overlays. Additional infrastructure improvements include the installation of approximately 1,680 linear feet of 6-foot-wide sidewalk, the rehabilitation of 653 linear feet of culverts across seven locations, and the upgrade of 12 curb ramps to ADA standards. The project also includes updating sign panels, pavement markings, and guardrails to current safety standards. Construction is expected to begin in Spring 2030 and last for two years, with a subsequent three-year plant establishment period. Due to environmental protections, in-stream work and culvert activities are restricted to the window between June 1 and October 31. The project is subject to several critical regulatory permits, including Section 401 and 404 certifications and consultations with the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service and National Marine Fisheries Service to protect species such as the Southern California steelhead and California red-legged frog. Preliminary construction cost estimates for various design alternatives range from 86.5 million to 114 million dollars. The project has been cleared through an Initial Study with a Mitigated Negative Declaration, concluding that it will not have a significant environmental effect provided that biological mitigation and monitoring plans are implemented.