Board declares state of emergency for Picacho Road bridge after structural compromise

The Imperial County Board of Supervisors voted March 18 to declare a state of emergency for the Picacho Road bridge over the Yuma Main Canal after county staff reported a wrecked vehicle and preexisting deterioration had compromised the structure.

A county presentation said the bridge — described by staff as more than 100 years old — is an important access route to a public health clinic serving the Ketchon (Kishan) tribe. Staff said the county has been pursuing grant funding for replacement and has contracted WSP, an engineering firm, to assess repair and replacement options and to assist with grant proposals.

County staff summarized three recommended options from their site investigation: full replacement; and two potential remedial approaches intended to reopen the bridge to passenger vehicles only while limiting commercial truck access. Staff said the county will coordinate with the California Highway Patrol and the Sheriff’s Office to prevent heavy truck use of the bridge and will explore interim measures to permit passenger traffic.

Supervisors moved and passed a motion to declare the emergency; the motion was made by Supervisor Jesus Eduardo Escobar and seconded by Supervisor Martha Cardenas Singh and was carried by recorded board vote on the motion to convene and adopt the declaration.

County staff said they will continue weekly or biweekly board letters updating the board on engineering work, funding efforts and repair timelines. The county reported it has previously submitted for federal RAISE grant funding and has hired WSP, the consultant that assisted with a separate large bridge grant application.

Ending: The declaration authorizes the county to pursue interim repairs and replacement funding; staff will return to the board with progress updates and grant-seeking results.