The original Bear Gulch Bridge, constructed in 1921, was replaced because it had become structurally deficient and functionally obsolete. The 250 foot long reinforced concrete spandrel arch was replaced with 362’ long two-span steel girder bridge that was constructed next to the existing bridge, which allowed traffic to continue uninterrupted through the site during construction. A steel girder alternative was selected to provide the long span needed to bridge the canyon and creek more than 100’ below the proposed roadway. This bridge type was determined to be more cost effective than constructing tall falsework in the canyon that would be necessary for any cast-in-place concrete alternatives. Quincy Engineering Inc. provided project management, preliminary bridge and roadway design, and final PS&E for this $3 million bridge that was completed in 2004. The single-column bent foundation consists of a 96” diameter cast-in-drill-hole concrete pile, while the abutments and retaining walls are supported by spread footings founded in rock.
The original Bear Gulch Bridge, constructed in 1921, was replaced because it had become structurally deficient and functionally obsolete. The 250 foot long reinforced concrete spandrel arch was replaced with 362’ long two-span steel girder bridge that was constructed next to the existing bridge, which allowed traffic to continue uninterrupted through the site 
during construction. A steel girder alternative was selected to provide the long span needed to bridge the canyon and creek more than 100’ below the proposed roadway. This bridge type was determined to be more cost effective than constructing tall falsework in the canyon that would be necessary for any cast-in-place concrete alternatives.