DearReaders,
A Message from your City Manager
Matt Downing
WearecallingthistheTrafficWayBridgeReplacementProjectEditionbecause well itisall about the Bridge! This issue is full of information on the largest infrastructure project in our City’shistory.Comealongasweexplorewhat’shappening,whoismakingithappen,andhow weareworkingtosupportthecommunityalongtheway.
Inside, you will find a breakdown of the project timeline, an introduction to the team behind the Project, and details on our Buy Local program an effort to support the businesses closest totheconstructionareawhomaybemostaffectedbythedetour.
In this issue, we also take a moment to acknowledge our outgoing Chief of Police, Michael Martinez, who is embarking on his next adventure - retirement! We are grateful for Chief Martinez’simpactsinourcommunityandwewishhimthebestofluckinhisretirement.
Markyourcalendars ourbelovedSummerConcertSerieskicksoffontheFourthofJulywith two bands and continues every Sunday through Harvest Festival Weekend in September. It is the perfect way to soak up some sunshine and enjoy live music in beautiful Heritage Square Park.
As always, we are committed to keeping you informed and engaged. The City Council meets on the second and fourth Tuesday of each month, where important decisions are made about thefutureofArroyoGrande yourcityandyourvoiceinaction.
Thank you for your continued patience and support during the Traffic Way Bridge ReplacementProject Weunderstandandempathizewiththeimpactsthisworkwillbring,but we are excited about the future: a stronger, modernized bridge designed to serve our communityforthenext100yearsandbeyond.
Sincerely, Matt Downing
BY: JULIE HAWKINS, DEPUTY CITY CLERK/COMMUNICATIONS COORDINATOR
If we have said it once, we have said it a million times: the Traffic Way Bridge Replacement Project is the City’s largest infrastructure project in its 114 year history - and a project of this size couldn’t happen without a dedicated team of staff and partners working hard behind the scenes to ensure its success. Let’s meet just some of those individuals and communitypartners.
CityTeam
BillRobeson
AssistantCityManager/PublicWorksDirector
Leading the charge is our Director of Public Works who oversees the entire project from planning to completion With a focus on safety, efficiency, and long-term sustainability, Director Robeson is committed to ensuring the Bridge meets community needs todayand into the future
ShannonSweeney CityEngineer
City Engineer Shannon Sweeney plays a central role in the success of the Traffic Way Bridge Project. She has been deeply involved from the earliest phases design and environmental review to securing grant funding, navigating regulatory approvals, managing the bidding process, and coordinating construction Shannon oversees the overall project budget, timeline, and detour, ensuring each element stays on track and aligned with community needs
JohnBenedetti
SeniorEngineer
Working closely with the City Engineer, John helps resolve logistical challenges and was instrumental in creating a functional detour for the project as well as coordinatingutilityrelocation
CityofArroyoGrandePublicWorks StreetsDivision
Led by Public Works Manager Dan Kies, the City’s Streets Division including Tony Martins, Dominick Rodriguez, and Christopher Hanson plays a vital role in keeping Arroyo Grande safe and accessible throughout the Traffic Way Bridge Project. This dedicated crew serves as the City’s hands-on response team, addressingcommunityconcerns in the field.
TrafficWayBridgeCommunicationsTeam
AgroupofdedicatedindividualsmakeuptheTraffic WayBridgeCommunicationsTeam.LedbyDirector ofLegislative&InformationServices,CityClerk,and Public Information Officer Jessica Matson and her team, this cross-departmental group developed a comprehensive plan to keep the community informed throughout the project A robust social mediaandoutreachstrategyhasbeenineffectsince February, including weekly construction digests postedtotheTrafficWayBridgewebpage
Recreation Services Director Sheridan Bohlken coordinated with community partners to share updates with the Lucia Mar School District Community Development Director Brian Pedrotti and his team helped create and distribute mailed detournoticestoresidents.HumanResourcesOfficer AshleyGarciaprovidedessentialguidanceonpublic messaging. Management Analyst Aleah Bergam worked closelywith the South County Chambers of Commerce to launch the Buy Local Program, supportingVillagebusinessesduringconstruction.
CommunityPartners
GraniteConstruction Contractor
Granite Construction is the contractor bringing the vision to life. With a reputation for quality and experience in complex infrastructure projects, their skilled team is responsible for the physical constructionofthenewbridge.
FilippinEngineering
ConstructionManagementConsultants
Our partners at Filippin Engineering are instrumental in managingthe dailyon-site progress. They ensure that all work complies with plans, specifications, and safety standards, serving as a criticalliaisonbetweentheCityandcontractors.
ConsorEngineering
The team at Consor Engineering designed the new Traffic Way Bridge and continue to be a valuable resourceasconstructionbegins.
Togetherwithmanyotherstaffmembers,thisteamis committed to delivering a stronger, and more resilientbridgeforArroyoGrande.
TrafficWayBridge Replacement Project
What is the TrafficWay Bridge Replacement Project?
What is the expected timeline for the project?
How is the project funded?
The existing bridge is nearly 100 years old and inspections revealed serious structural issues, including deck cracking, failed expansion joints, spalling concrete, and erosion within the creek channel.As early as 2018, engineers determined that the bridge’s foundation was compromised—not just by scour, but also by insufficient bearing capacity necessitating a full replacement to ensure public safety.
Construction began on-time on May 19, 2025 and is anticipated to be completed by December 2025.
The majority of the project is funded through Federal Highway Bridge Program grant funds.
Why are we replacing the bridge when other roads in the City need attention?
Why did the City install a temporary traffic circle at theArroyo Grande High School?
The TrafficWay Bridge Replacement project is primarily funded through the Federal Highway Bridge Program, as a result, those funds are specifically allocated and cannot be used for local road repairs. The City is concurrently executing a robust Pavement Management Plan.
The temporary traffic circle was installed to allow for safe and legal le -hand turns out of theAG High School parking lot.Allowing for le -hand turns will decrease traffic going through the bridge detours in theVillage.
Howwill local business be impacted?
How can I stay informed about the project?
Some parking spaces in front of businesses along the detour route have been removed for the duration of the project to allow for the increased volume of vehicles. The City maintains six no-fee parking lots in theVillage and street parking east of Bridge St. has been unchanged.As a result of potential impacts, the City Council has approved a Buy Local program that will allow customers to receive a $20 gi card when they spend $100 at a participating merchant.
Sign up for notifications on the City’s website under “Notify Me” and choose email and/or text message alerts to receive messages when updates are published. TrafficWay Bridge Replacement Project updates will be published through the City Spotlights in the News Flash Category.
Did you know the City has anApp?You can download "MyAG" in the AppleApp Store or Google Play Store on your device. Make sure to signup for push notifications to receive notifications through the App.
Who can I contact for more information?
Please direct any questions or comments to TWBComments@arroyogrande.org
TRAFFIC WAY BRIDGE
REPLACEMENT PROJECT TIMELINE
INSPECTIONS
Caltrans Bridge Inspections indicate that as a result of channel erosion the existing intermediate supports have been exposed causing this bridge to be classified as scour-critical and in need of replacement.
DESIGN
The City entered into a contract with to complete engineering design and environmental services in October 2019. BRIDGE
OCTOBER 2019
CONSTRUCTION SCOPE SET
In July 2020 City Council approved a full bridge closure for one construction season rather than a partial closure for two construction seasons.
CONSTRUCTION CONTRACT AWARDED
Following a competitive bidding process, the City Council awarded the Traffic Way Bridge Replacement Project Construction Contract to Granite Construction at the December 10, 2024, City Council Meeting
APRIL 2025
CONSTRUCTION BEGINS
On May 19, 2025, the Traffic Way Bridge was closed and the detour went into effect.
JUNE 2025
BRIDGE COMPLETE!
Bridge construction is expected to be completed by the end of December 2025
DECEMBER 2024
TRAFFIC CIRCLE INSTALLED
In an effort to reduce traffic congestion in the Village during the detour, a traffic circle was installed in that allows safe and legal left turns onto westbound Fair Oaks.
MAY 2025
BRIDGE DEMOLITION
The bridge is scheduled for demolition in June. Once the bridge is removed, construction of a full span bridge across the Arroyo Grande Creek will begin.
DECEMBER 2025
Chief Martinez Retires After 22 Years of Service
After more than two decades of dedicated service, Chief Michael T. Martinez has officially retired from the Arroyo Grande Police Department, effective May 30, 2025. His leadership has left a lasting impact on the department and the community he served.
Chief Martinez began his law enforcement career with the Grover Beach Police Department before joining AGPD in 2005.
Overtheyears,herosethroughtheranks servingasOfficer,Sergeant,Commander,and ultimately,ChiefofPolicebeginningin2020.Healsoheldnumerousspecializedroles, includingMotorcycleOfficer,SchoolResourceOfficer,andSWATTeammember.
AsChief,heguidedthedepartmentthroughmeaningfulchange,embracingnewtechnologies andstrengtheningrelationshipsthroughoutthecommunity.Reflectingonhistimeinuniform, hesaid,“ThegreatestpartaboutbeingthePoliceChiefhasbeenwatchingthedevelopment andaccomplishmentsofthemembersoftheDepartment.Ithasbeenaprivilegetoleadthem.”
CityManagerMatthewDowningshared, “Chief Martinez helped ensure that ourpolice departmentremainedaleaderinthecommunity.Hiscontributionswillbefeltforyearsto come. ”
CommanderDavidCulverhasbeenappointedInterimChiefofPoliceandwillleadthe departmentwhiletheCityconductsaformalrecruitmentforthenextChiefofPolice.
TheCityofArroyoGrandeisworkingwithFlashVote to engage the community and gather valuable input fromresidentstoinformdecisions.
Doyouhaveaboutoneminuteamonthtohelpmake ArroyoGrandebetter?Weencourageresidentstosign upherenow:www.flashvote.com/arroyograndeorcall 775-235-2240toparticipatebyphoneortextonly.
