The City of Santa Cruz and the port district are hosting a community meeting Tuesday evening on the Murray Street Bridge retrofit, to provide project updates, timelines and expected impacts to community members.
The $50 million project, which has been in discussion since the 1990s, aims to strengthen the bridge with additional pilings and an improved foundation so it can better withstand earthquakes. The city originally planned to start construction in October 2024, but the process to enter a contract with Woodside-based Shimmick Construction took longer than anticipated.
Along with new piles and columns, crews will also widen the bridge deck and install new barrier rails. There will also be new bicycle and pedestrian infrastructure, with new 6-foot bike lanes and a 7½-foot sidewalk along the ocean side included in the construction.
The city currently expects to finish construction by fall 2027, and plans to keep eastbound traffic along the bridge open for most of the project’s timeline.
Tuesday’s meeting will take place from 7 to 8:30 p.m. at the Live Oak Community Center, 979 17th Ave., at the Simpkins Family Swim Center.
Have news that should be in Lookout Briefs? Send your press releases, including contact information, to news@lookoutlocal.com.
