Santa Clarita / Antelope Valley : Quake-Damaged Walkways, Bridges Slated for Repair

Repairs will begin next week on 13 public bridges and walkways in Valencia that were damaged in the Northridge earthquake, city officials said Tuesday.

The cost of the repairs--estimated at $587,000--will be paid by private and public sources.

Santa Clarita will contribute $165,000 in federal earthquake recovery funds and the Newhall Land & Farming Co.--which built the Valencia housing tracts--will pay $150,000. Valencia households will be assessed a $10 annual fee to cover the remaining costs.

The Santa Clarita City Council is expected to authorize the cost-sharing agreement at its meeting next week.

The elaborate footpaths and bridges--known as paseos --have been a distinctive feature of the Newhall Land & Farming Co.’s master-planned Valencia community since 1967. They cover 20 miles and include about 20 elevated walkways and sunken street crossings, extending south to Lyons Avenue and north to Valencia Boulevard.

Four of the walkways were significantly damaged by the Jan. 17 Northridge earthquake and nine others suffered cosmetic damage, according to Newhall Land spokeswoman Marlee Lauffer.

Repairs are expected to be completed by the end of November, said city public information officer Gail Foy.

As part of the cost-sharing deal, Santa Clarita officials have agreed to assume ownership--and liability--for the bridges. That arrangement settles a yearlong disagreement over upkeep and repairs.