La Loma Bridge Project

PROJECT UPDATE la loma bridge image
On September 25, 2006, the City Council approved the Final Environmental Impact Report / Environmental Assessment (EIR/EA) and the Bridge Retrofit / Rehabilitation Alternative. This alternative is consistent with historic preservation goals of local land use plans, and was recommended by the City of Pasadena Design Commission and Historic Preservation Commission.

Final Approval of the EIR was issued in September 2006. Subsequent geological surveys performed in 2007 identified the location of the Eagle Rock fault, which runs beneath the bridge. The location of the fault significantly impacts the design of the bridge retrofit, and as a result, additional time for design and construction is necessary. Bridge design should be completed by spring 2009. The scheduled start date for construction is fall 2009 with project completion by spring 2011.

For more information, contact Roubik Mardirosian, Project Manager, at (626) 744-7456.

PROJECT BACKGROUND / INFORMATION

The La Loma Bridge, which has spanned the lower Arroyo Seco for almost 90 years, is in need of repairs to meet current seismic standards. Described at its opening as the "handsome small sister of the Colorado Street Bridge", the La Loma Bridge is an open spandrel arch structure and one of the finer local examples, influenced by nostalgic views of Greece and Rome, adopted for use on a bridge. The La Loma Bridge is 378 feet long and carries one lane of travel in each direction with five-foot-wide sidewalks on both sides. Due to its historical significance, the bridge is listed on the National Register of Historic Places (NRHP).

In 1990, shortly after the Loma Prieta Earthquake, all of the bridges in the City of Pasadena were analyzed to determine whether they could withstand a probable earthquake event. In 1999, an additional seismic analysis was conducted for the La Loma Bridge. The analysis concluded that the bridge is deficient in strength and is deteriorating.

As a result, the City has approved the retrofit and rehabilitation of the existing La Loma Bridge to meet current seismic standards. The City is moving forward with final design of the La Loma Bridge project, and should begin construction in fall 2009. The City of Pasadena is working in cooperation with the California Department of Transportation (Caltrans) and the Federal Highway Administration (FHWA) to complete the La Loma Bridge project.

The City of Pasadena would like to thank the public, Caltrans, Federal Highway Administration (FHWA), and the County of Los Angeles Department of Public Works for their patience and cooperation during design and construction of the La Loma Bridge project.