Get Full Government Meeting Transcripts, Videos, & Alerts Forever!
Get email alerts on the Infrastructure Emergency topic
No spam. Unsubscribe anytime.
Murrieta declares emergency to replace Hayes Avenue Bridge after structural failure; council authorizes $89,580 purchase orders and $725,000 appropriation
Summary
After a Feb. 6 inspection found a through‑deck failure and poor wood superstructure, the council declared an emergency to replace Hayes Avenue Bridge at Miller Canyon Creek, authorized Michael Baker International design purchase orders totaling $89,580.92, and appropriated $725,000 of area drainage fees for the project; staff said replacement is needed to preserve fire‑truck access.
Murrieta city staff told the council that inspections found a significant deck failure in the Hayes Avenue Bridge over Miller Canyon Creek and recommended full replacement to restore access for large emergency vehicles. The council declared an emergency and approved immediate contracting and budget action.
City Engineer Jeff Hitch described the discovery on Feb. 6 and a subsequent structural evaluation that concluded the wood superstructure was in poor condition. Hitch said repairs that only restored a 20‑ton rating would not allow passage of typical fire apparatus (about 40 tons) and therefore staff recommended a full bridge replacement to preserve emergency response access. "For that reason we've determined, we believe that this is an emergency condition. This bridge at Hays Avenue needs to be replaced," Hitch said.
Staff outlined next steps: authorize emergency public‑works contracting under the Public Contract Code, pursue expedited environmental permits (U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, State Water Resources Control Board, California Department of Fish and Wildlife), and retain Michael Baker International for design and permitting work. Council authorized purchase orders to Michael Baker International totaling $89,580.92, amended the capital improvement plan to create a Hayes Avenue Bridge project and appropriated $725,000 of area drainage fees to fund construction. Staff said Michael Baker would begin survey and preliminary environmental work immediately if approved and that construction could occur as early as July, with an estimated construction duration of about four weeks once permits are obtained.
Council members asked whether a temporary repair (20‑ton) or full replacement (40‑ton) made sense given permitting timelines; staff said emergency declarations expedite environmental review through emergency permit procedures and that a full replacement preserved fire‑truck access. Councilmember DeForest emphasized the importance of a 40‑ton rating to maintain public‑safety access.
What happens next: Staff will proceed with design, emergency permitting and contracting under the emergency declaration and return to council as necessary with schedule and contract details.
