CONSTRUCTION UPDATE
March 16, 2021
Si prefiere recibir información de construcción en español, llame al (877) 55-SBCTA.

Crews are progressing with the disassembly of the Mt. Vernon Avenue Bridge. Over the last month, crews have removed the portion of the bridge that crossed over 3rd Street, as well a majority of the old bridge abutment (or structure that connects the bridge deck to the ground) at the south end of the bridge. In addition, crews have continued work to remove concrete deck panels in sections from atop the bridge (working north) and are also working below to carefully disassemble the structure, piece by piece. In the coming weeks crews will continue disassembly over the railyard, culminating in an extended closure of rail operations planned at the end of the month to remove the bridge girders and columns that run within the rail facilities.

Visit gosbcta.com/mtvernonbridge and click "GO" to sign up to receive project updates. Sign up for text messages by texting mtvernonbridge to 31996 (Reply STOP to cancel, text HELP for help. Normal text and data message rates may apply).

The Mt. Vernon Avenue Bridge is closed to all pedestrians and no crossing is permitted. Violators will be subject to citation and/or fines in accordance with local ordinances.

Please remember all construction is dynamic and the schedule is weather-permitting and
subject to change.
Pictured Below: Disassembly and removal the Mt.Vernon Avenue Bridge over 3rd Street.
Pictured Below: Looking south toward 2nd Street, crews work atop the bridge sawcutting the bridge deck and removing sections of concrete. In addition, crews are at work below the bridge, carefully disassembling the structure.
Removing bridge material below bridge deck
Pictured Below: From atop the bridge (looking south toward 2nd Street).
PEDESTRIAN DETOUR/COMPLIMENTARY BUS SERVICE
There is no pedestrian access across the bridge. SBCTA and Omnitrans are providing a complimentary bus service. Bus stop locations nearest the bridge are shown on the map below, for Route 1 (2nd Street/Metrolink Way), Route 3/Route 4 (5th Street/Mount Vernon), and Route 14 (5th Street/Mount Vernon Avenue).

To access, board at the stops below and say "bridge detour/desvío del puente" to the bus driver for the complimentary fare. Riders will transfer between routes at the Transit Center and continue to Route 1, Route 3/Route 4 or Route 14 to reach the other side of the bridge.

For more information about the complimentary bus service call 877-55-SBCTA or email info@goSBCTA.com.
MOTORIST DETOUR
There is no vehicle access across the bridge. Access to businesses on Mount Vernon Avenue at 2nd Street and 5th Street, and on Mount Vernon Avenue between W. Kingman Street and 5th Street, will be maintained.
ABOUT THE MOUNT VERNON AVENUE BRIDGE PROJECT
Since opening to the public in 1934, the Mount Vernon Avenue Bridge (MVAB) has been an iconic structure, bridging San Bernardino communities to the north and south and serving as a vital link for residents, visitors, students and businesses. The community, like the bridge, has seen a great deal of change over the past 86 years. Today the bridge is showing its age and is in need of desperate improvement. In the past 15 years, the bridge has been closed to traffic twice for critical repairs and has had temporary supports installed at different locations beginning in 2004. And, although it remains open to passenger cars and people walking and biking across the bridge, buses and trailer trucks are no longer permitted to use it.

To ensure the safety and longevity of the bridge, the City of San Bernardino (City) and the California Department of Transportation (Caltrans) have partnered with the San Bernardino County Transportation Authority (SBCTA) to rebuild the bridge. The bridge will be disassembled and completely rebuilt – a process that will span approximately three years. Improvements at the south end of the bridge will include retaining walls along both sides with 3rd Street closed during construction but opened to traffic permanently after construction is complete. On the north side retaining walls will also be constructed along both sides of the transition between the bridge and W. Kingman Street. Where Mount Vernon Avenue reconnects to W. 2nd Street and W. Kingman Street new curbs and gutters will be installed. Reconstruction of the new bridge will begin in 2022 and the new structure is anticipated to open in 2024.