Main Street Bridge in Ventura Partly Reopens
Ventura city officials unceremoniously reopened a portion of the Main Street Bridge that collapsed last month after severe storms.
The bridge was opened late Friday to one lane of traffic, with a temporary signal directing motorists across a repaired section, said Everett Millais, Ventura’s community development director.
“It’s open and it’s controlled by a signal on each side,” Millais said.
The downstream portion of the crossing buckled by nearly five feet after fierce storms flooded the Ventura River in early March. Emergency crews closed the bridge as city officials and contractors figured out how the structure should be rebuilt.
Public Works Director Ron Calkins recommended that workers reopen the upstream lane to traffic first, allowing contractors to work on the downstream lane through the summer.
Drivers are now stopped at either side of the repaired section of the bridge, taking turns crossing.
More extensive repairs to the downstream side of the bridge are expected to be completed within six months. City officials hope federal disaster funds will reimburse the city for repairs.
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