Board approves $656,000 temporary bridge to restore Chiquetti Road access

The San Luis Obispo County Board of Supervisors on Nov. 18 approved a motion to fund a temporary bridge at the Chiquetti Road crossing, a move supporters said will restore access to a rural community that has been impacted since a 2023 storm.

Supervisor Paulding moved approval after public comment from residents and organizations asking for clarity on the project’s cost. John Diodati, the county’s public works director, told the board the extra $406,000 identified in staff documents comes from available funds originally budgeted for the Moretti Canyon Bridge replacement, and that a total of $656,000 is being allocated to install a temporary structure while the permanent bridge remains planned for 2027–2028.

Opponents on the board said the temporary design and price are troubling. “This is a $700,000 temporary bridge that is jumping over other bridges that we have to repair in the county,” Supervisor Pishon said, arguing the county should not move money from other scheduled bridge repairs. Supervisor Moreno similarly urged prioritizing a permanent solution and said staff had not produced safety data proving an emergency need.

Paulding defended the move as responsive to residents’ hardships and said staff presented that the funds were available without tapping the county’s North County Emergency Bridge Fund. After discussion and a roll-call vote, the motion passed.

The board’s action directs staff to proceed with the temporary installation and to continue planning the permanent replacement; Supervisors who opposed the motion said they would monitor whether the reallocation delays other bridge work in their districts.