Bridging the gap

The Fairmont Avenue bridge continues to take shape as crews start placing reinforcement steel for the decks spanning San Fernando Road and the railroad tracks.

The steel will be placed in four stages on top of the temporary support structures for the bridge deck, according to the latest notification from the Public Works Department.

City officials have been in talks with railroad stakeholders for permission to do the work over the rail lines during daytime hours, but announced that they would update the surrounding neighborhood should any nighttime work be needed.

During the work, right-turn movement for northbound traffic on San Fernando Road will be restricted at Fairmont Avenue, according to the city notice.

The flyover bridge will eventually extend Fairmont Avenue over San Fernando Road, the railroad tracks and into the city’s redevelopment area dominated by DreamWorks Animation, the Walt Disney Co. and KABC7. The $34-million bridge project was required under the city’s development agreement with the studios to improve traffic flow and access to the area, and is on track to come in millions under budget.

State transportation officials agreed to spend the anticipated $3-million difference to widen the Central Avenue offramp for the eastbound Ventura (134) Freeway.