The 70-year old Trestles Bridge is located on the San Diego – Orange County line, near San Onofre State Beach. Decades of use coupled with vandalism, salt air, fires, and decay had worn down the bridge and left it seismically deficient. It cost approximately $250,000 a year to maintain.
This $8 million project replaced the existing wood trestle structure with a new reinforced steel and concrete bridge. Replacement of this bridge was critical to maintaining the viability of the only railroad connection between San Diego and points north for inter-city passenger service, commuter rail service, and goods movement.
Construction of the bridge began in fall 2010 and was completed in early 2012. The $8 million project was paid entirely with funds from the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act. Approximately 150 people worked on this project.