A damaged bridge has led to the closure of National Trails Highway between Amboy and Kelbaker Road, and repairs are expected to take another three weeks. This closes a major throughway used to connect the Morongo Basin and Las Vegas.
San Bernardino County’s Public Works office provided Z107.7 with background on the damage and an update on repairs.
Public Works said that the damage to Bridge 70, located about a mile east of Saltus Road, was discovered by Caltrans during a routine inspection on February 15. Pilings that hold up the bridge were more than 50% degraded, and the County immediately closed the bridge to travel.
Bridge 70 is a wooden trestle bridge used as part of National Trails Highway, which was once part of Route 66. The bridge was built in 1930, and its load-bearing wooden components are showing signs of major decay due to recent flooding and weather.
No immediate bypasses for the bridge are available. A spokesperson for Public Works said that the process to get environmental approval for local bypasses would take longer than the bridge repairs, and they encouraged drivers to take alternate routes that avoid this stretch of National Trails Highway.
As of March 7, the Public Works office estimates repairs will conclude in three weeks, including an expected storm delay, at which point the bridge will be inspected and re-opened. Excavation of the site is currently underway, with next steps including the installation of new piles and rebar.
