Stanislaus County bridge project exceeds budget by $5.2 million. The new span is open
A bridge project in Stanislaus County ran into $5.2 million in cost overruns, most of which were attributed to flood damage over a two-year period.
The construction budget for the Crows Landing Road bridge over the San Joaquin River swelled from $25.7 million to $30.9 million before the bridge replacement was finished this year.
The bridge, about 13.5 miles south of Modesto, is a critical link for cars and trucks taking Crows Landing Road and Fink Road between Modesto and Interstate 5. Newman residents cross the bridge to drive to Modesto for shopping and entertainment.
The Board of Supervisors approved the change orders last week, paying an additional $4.2 million to Security Paving Company and $1.02 million to HDR Construction Corp., which handled construction management.
The county’s original agreement with Security Paving was for $18.2 million. The initial contract with HDR was $2.2 million.
Atmospheric river storms in winter 2023 caused San Joaquin River flooding, which put the bridge construction site underwater. It damaged the trestle, access roads and platform.
Extra costs were incurred for debris removal and restoration of access roads, repairs to the trestle and abutment footings, a county staff report said. Divers were hired to inspect the trestle and remove materials.
The Biden administration in January 2023 approved a major disaster declaration for storm-ravaged counties in California after Gov. Gavin Newsom had requested an expedited declaration. County Public Works acknowledged it should have asked county leaders to declare a local emergency for the San Joaquin bridge project in order to apply for federal assistance.
Storm events in winter 2024 inundated the bridge project again, with the high water damaging the newly built approach roadway. Though the bridge was substantially completed, repairs were required for the trestle and a temporary bridge-support structure, the riverbank slope, abutment footing and an irrigation line, the staff report said.
Project delays also were caused by the discovery of Swainson’s hawks nesting nearby, triggering California’s protection measures for the threatened species. Supervisors approved a $1.7 million contract amendment in September 2022 for construction management services.
The 723-foot-long bridge was fully opened to motor vehicle traffic in August. The bridge project was funded by federal and state money. The county expects to get $5.2 million from Caltrans for the flood damage repairs and other unforeseen cost overruns.
This story was originally published September 24, 2024 at 10:42 AM.
