Hayes Avenue Bridge reconstruction delayed; city gives new delivery and mid‑June completion target

Murrieta — City engineers updated the City Council on April 7 about the Hayes Avenue Bridge reconstruction, saying material production and permitting changes have pushed the project schedule and that the city now expects delivery of a precast arch on or about May 26 with construction and a mid‑June completion window.

Public Works staff recounted the project history: the bridge closed in February 2025 after deck failure; an emergency structural redesign followed; initial cast‑in‑place box culvert plans were rejected through emergency permit review and staff switched to a precast arch span solution. "When we applied for the emergency permits, we realized that we could not proceed under those guidelines and had to redesign using an arch span structure," the project engineer said. (attributed to Jeff Hitch)

Staff reported material production delays at the supplier — a manufacturer originally estimated 8–10 weeks but later revised production to about 13 weeks, moving the delivery target into late May. Staff told council they anticipate awarding a new construction contract at the April 21 meeting and starting onsite work the first or second week of May; installation of the precast arch is expected to take one to two days once foundations are in place.

Council members accepted the update and thanked staff. Mayor Lavelle said he considered the delay "water under the bridge" and expressed appreciation for the report.

Next steps: Staff will return to council on April 21 to award the construction contract and execute the schedule described. Public works expects to stage demolition, pour concrete footings and then erect the precast arch when it arrives.