Barstow’s North First Avenue Bridge set to open soon

After nearly 18 months of construction, the new two-lane North First Avenue Bridge in Barstow is scheduled to open within days.

The nearly 1,180-foot-long concrete and steel wonder will officially welcome commuters on Wednesday, July 10, according to the San Bernardino County Transportation Authority.

During that time, work crews will intermittently stop traffic at White Street, Hutchison Street and near the Harvey House to move k-rails and redirect motorists onto the new bridge.

The new bridge will enhance traffic safety, improve Americans with Disabilities Act access, enhance pedestrian walkways, and re-establish a safety connection between the residential north portion and the downtown business district of Barstow, transportation officials stated.

Improvements continue in July

After the new bridge opens, Hutchison Street will be closed at North First Street for construction of the new Hutchison Street, the county agency stated.

Additional areas to close include the North First Street intersection and driveway for Del Taco, which will remain open with temporary access from North First Street. Detour routes will be posted in the area.

Throughout July, crews will continue constructing sidewalks, curbs, gutters, and retaining walls, the agency stated.

Intermittent flagging will also occur on North First Street between White Street and Hutchison Street as crews install utilities.

Bridge construction was initially expected to cost roughly $85 million, with a fall 2024 completion date, transportation authority officials stated.

The San Bernardino County Transportation Authority, in cooperation with the city of Barstow and Burlington Northern Santa Fe Railroad, led the construction effort to replace the existing North First Avenue Bridge.

Removing the old bridge

Crews in July will begin the demolition of the old bridge which will include removing asphalt and the concrete deck.

The new bridge replaces the existing two-lane, 29-span, steel truss and steel/timber girder North First Avenue Bridge, which was constructed around 1930 and modified in 1943.

The old bridge served as a critical access point to Barstow's northern region as it runs directly above a massive BNSF Railway intermodal yard.

A group of residents have shared their desire to convert the old bridge to a pedestrian-only structure for walking purposes.

Some history buffs voiced their desire for the old structure, built more than a decade before the incorporation of Barstow, to be preserved as a relic.

Structurally deficient

During Caltrans’ Bridge Inspection Report in April 2012, the old bridge received a sufficiency rating of three out of 100. At that time, the bridge was considered structurally deficient in its superstructure, substructure, and overall structural evaluation.

The old bridge was also considered functionally obsolete due to its overall geometry and substandard vertical clearance, Caltrans said.

Skanska built

In January 2023, Skanska announced their $30 million contract with the San Bernardino County Transportation Authority to break ground on the new North First Avenue Bridge.

At that time, Mike Aparicio, executive vice president of Skanska USA Civil’s West Coast operations shared his thoughts on constructing the new bridge.

“We look forward to working with the San Bernardino County Transportation Authority, and its many other transportation partners, to replace Barstow’s North 1st Avenue Bridge,” Aparicio said. “The current structure was built over 90 years ago, and this project will provide a modern, safe, and accessible structure. We are proud to be the team chosen in this first big step toward building a new structural and functional standard needed as the city continues to grow.”

Over the months, the bridge’s construction has been documented by a handful of photographers, including Bryan Hartwick, Lara Roberts Hartley and Robert Hall.

The photographic trio has posted many of their photos and videos to the Barstow - First Ave. bridge construction photos page on Facebook.

Daily Press reporter Rene Ray De La Cruz may be reached at RDeLaCruz@VVDailyPress.com. Follow him on X @DP_ReneDeLaCruz