Harkins Slough Bridge, Watsonville

The Project

MTCo engineers designed an HBP-funded, five-span, precast concrete girder bridge over the Struve Slough West Branch on Harkins Slough Road in the City of Watsonville. The bridge replaced an existing low water seasonal crossing to provide year around access to a newly constructed high school. MTCo prepared the Bridge Type Selection Reports and PS&E submittal as well as coordinated with Caltrans District 5 for the Highway 1 on-ramp modification design.

The Challenges

The only other access to the high school construction site was a low water crossing on Lee Road. Lee Road becomes inaccessible after November until May the following year. Providing access to the high school construction site during the construction of the Harkin Slough Road Bridge was big challenge.

The Results

MTCo developed an inexpensive and quick solution to construct a temporary railroad flat cart bridge. 22 pieces of railroad flat cars were rented and precast concrete piers were used for the support. The bridge was assembled in place three days before the Lee Road was submerged under water.