California Construction News staff writer
Construction is expected to be completed by the end of this year on a project that will replace a concrete culvert with an eco-bridge at the intersection of Pacific Coast Highway (PCH) and Corral Canyon Road.
The bridge will allow Steelhead trout to migrate upstream from the ocean.
Construction is part of a $62.2 million plan to improve stormwater drainage infrastructure by reconstructing 13 and creating passageways for fish on PCH from Pacific Palisades to Ventura County.
Construction will rehabilitate 13 culverts within a 25-mile stretch of PCH between the Pacific Palisades neighborhood in Los Angeles and the Los Angeles County line.
“Our state and federal partners understand that improvements to Caltrans’ stormwater infrastructure are about more than just simply providing passageways for water,” said Caltrans Director Tony Tavares. “We are building a transportation system that increases safety during storm events while minimizing disruption to the surrounding ecosystems.”
The Southern California steelhead trout population was first listed as endangered by the National Marine Fisheries Service in 1997. Like salmon, trout spend most of their lives in ocean waters but spawn in freshwater.
“Southern California’s coastal species are vital to the region’s overall climate and ecological health,” said Caltrans District 7 Director Gloria Roberts. “Caltrans is committed to implementing transportation solutions that help restore vulnerable animal populations and allow species to thrive.”
