Council authorizes notice‑to‑bid for Carpinteria Avenue bridge replacement; project mostly federally funded

Carpinteria — The city council on Monday authorized the public works director to issue a notice inviting bids for the Carpinteria Avenue bridge replacement project, a federally‑assisted capital improvement funded chiefly through the Federal Highway Administration via Caltrans.

Public Works staff described the project scope as removal and replacement of the bridge over Carpinteria Creek, noted earlier clearing and grubbing work had been completed, and said the next preparatory steps require utility relocations by Southern California Edison, Cox Communications and Frontier Communications. The staff presentation said the project has been in planning since about 2010 and that federal reimbursement has covered roughly 88.53 percent of eligible costs with the city responsible for approximately 11.47 percent.

"We have been reimbursed 88.53% to be exact of federal aid funds, and the remaining portion of that 11.47% is city funded," the public works presenter said. Staff and the consultant estimated a realistic advertisement timeline would be after the summer once utility relocations are complete and cautioned that bids are valid for 60 calendar days.

Council members asked whether higher‑than‑expected bids would jeopardize federal funds; staff said the project is reimbursed on a reimbursement basis and, if bids exceed estimates, the city would request additional FHWA funding and cover the local share as necessary, and the project would remain active in the Federal Transportation Improvement Program while that process proceeds.

What happens next: staff will authorize bid advertising once utility relocations are sufficiently advanced; council will consider bid awards and any requests for additional funding after bids are received.