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Council backs Option 4 for State Route 246 bridge project; asks Caltrans to add lighting
Summary
The Lompoc City Council on June 17 endorsed Option 4 in Caltrans’ initial study for the State Route 246 bridge project and asked that the city’s comment letter request bridge lighting and shoulders in the final design.
The Lompoc City Council on June 17 approved staff comments on Caltrans’ initial study for the State Route 246 (Robinson/Bridal) bridge project, endorsing the plan identified as Option 4 and asking Caltrans to include lighting and shoulders in the final design.
Why it matters: Option 4 was presented to reduce scour potential in the riverbed, replace numerous in‑channel piers with fewer foundations, and provide safer pedestrian and bicycle connections across the bridge. City staff told the council the design would place an 11‑foot multipurpose path on the north (westbound) side and a 6‑foot sidewalk on the south (eastbound) side; the design also reduces the number of piers within the channel.
What the council decided City staff recommended the council direct the mayor (or city manager, given a recusal) to sign a comment letter supporting Option 4 and requesting additional elements — notably lighting on the bridge and minimum 6‑foot shoulders along repaved sections — to improve safety and reduce the risk of encampments on bridge abutments. The council approved the staff recommendation and the requested addition for lighting. Because the mayor recused himself from the item, the motion carried 4-0 with one absence recorded.
Key supporting points - Staff and several public speakers emphasized safety and flood‑risk reduction. The presenter said Option 4 reduces the number of piers in the river and better aligns the structure away from the river’s highest‑velocity flow. - Public commenters urged that lighting be included and that the bridge tie into planned multipurpose path and riverpark improvements to provide continuous, safe pedestrian and bicycling access.
Implementation and next steps Council instructed staff to finalize and send the comment letter to Caltrans and to ask Caltrans to consider lighting and shoulders as the project moves toward final design and permitting. The mayor (or city manager, because of the recusal) will execute the final letter on the city’s behalf.
Ending Staff expects to file the comment letter with Caltrans by the published deadline; the council requested a status update after delivery.
