Mint Canyon Creek Span Clears Hurdle

The county Board of Supervisors Tuesday cleared the way for construction of a Vasquez Canyon Road bridge over Mint Canyon Creek to replace a culvert crossing that was destroyed in a storm two years ago.

The board found that construction of a bridge and widening of Vasquez Canyon Road in the Forrest Park area of the Santa Clarita Valley would not adversely affect the environment.

County officials noted that a trailer park and house flanking the road would be subjected to only slightly higher noise levels as traffic along the improved road increases.

400-Foot Detour

Motorists are now using a 400-foot detour across the creek. Thomas Tidemanson, director of the Department of Public Works, said construction of the bridge is expected to begin soon.

The $637,000 project will include the widening of Vasquez Canyon Road to 50 feet at its intersection with the Sierra Highway to allow a left-hand turn lane onto the highway, he said.

If the many housing developments proposed in the Santa Clarita Valley are approved, Tidemanson said, Vasquez Canyon Road can be widened. Although the road has only two lanes, it is considered a major highway in the Los Angeles County general plan, he said.

According to a county study, about 2,000 vehicles a day use Vasquez Canyon Road.

However, by the year 2005, about 13,000 vehicles per day are predicted, with about 1,300 vehicles using the road during the peak traffic hour.