Construction begins on Firestone bridge

DOWNEY – Officials from Downey and Norwalk were scheduled to gather for a groundbreaking event Thursday outside Golf ‘N Stuff to mark the start of construction on the Firestone Boulevard bridge. The existing bridge over the San Gabriel River is being completely replaced with a new structure that meets current standards.

Features of the new bridge include wider sidewalks, a center median and shoulders. It will have three travel lanes in each direction.

Norwalk, the lead agency on the project, awarded a $7.5 million contract to Reyes Construction of Pomona last month. The total project cost, including engineering, contract administration and contingencies, is expected to reach $9.5 million.

A federal grant will fund 88 percent of the project, while the balance will be funded through a Prop. C grant from L.A. County Metro.

Construction is expected to last through December 2015.

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Published: April 3, 2014 - Volume 12 - Issue 51