The Murray Street Bridge Seismic Retrofit and Barrier Rail Project will strengthen and make the bridge more resilient to earthquakes. It is the last bridge in the City of Santa Cruz that requires a seismic retrofit. The other bridges were completed in the early 2000s.

This project will install new piles, extend the existing pile caps to incorporate the new piles, construct a new line of columns, place new bent caps, widen the bridge deck, and construct new see-through barrier rails. The resulting project, in addition to the structural upgrades, will result in a bridge deck with wide 6-foot bike lanes and a 7.5-foot sidewalk along the south (ocean) side to support a two-way pedestrian path of travel. The elevated curbs adjacent to the bike lanes will be replaced with standard 6-inch high curbs to improve the bicycle user experience. The solid concrete vehicular barrier will be replaced with rails, allowing for better harbor and ocean views. State and federal funding allows for improvements within 200 feet of the bridge abutments. Therefore, the project includes widening the bike lanes and sidewalks to improve the transitions and storm drain system on the west side of the bridge.

Traffic Planning

The City has begun coordination efforts with the surrounding agencies regarding traffic impacts. During most of the construction, a detour plan will close westbound traffic and maintain one-way eastbound traffic from Seabright Avenue towards 7th Avenue. At times, the bridge will have to be closed in its entirety as equipment and materials are moved and set up for different phases of work, requiring full road and path closures and detours at Seabright Ave. and 7th Ave. In addition, the Harbor’s paths under the bridge will be closed at alternating times to allow for the construction.

Specific details of the traffic impacts will be communicated to the public after a contractor is awarded the project.