Culver City Commemorates the Opening of the Higuera Street Bridge

Published on October 30, 2023

Photo: (L-R) Council Member Dan O'Brien, Congresswoman Sydney Kamlager-Dove, Council Member Göran Eriksson, Council Member Freddy Puza, and David McNeill from the Baldwin Hills Conservancy

Location: Higuera Street Bridge over Ballona Creek, along Higuera St between Eastham Dr and Jefferson Blvd, Culver City CA 90230.

The City of Culver City commemorated the completion of the Higuera Street Bridge Replacement Project, which improves mobility safety, accessibility, and connectivity in Culver City. The completion of this project was celebrated on Monday, October 30, 2023, by City Council Members, staff, project funders, project collaborators, outdoor enthusiasts, and Congresswoman Sydney Kamlager-Dove.

“I am glad to join Culver City leadership, including Council Members Freddy Puza, Dan O'Brien, and Göran Eriksson, to celebrate the opening of the new Higuera Street Bridge,” said Rep. Kamlager-Dove. “Thanks to almost $8 million in funding from the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law, Culver City residents are better connected to businesses and green space with safe paths for bicyclists and pedestrians. I will continue to work with state and local partners to bring home critical federal funds to support projects like these.”

Key Highlights of the Higuera Street Bridge Replacement Project

This ambitious endeavor brought a multitude of improvements to the Higuera Street Bridge:

• Replacement of old bridge with safer and wider structure;
• Added travel lane, resulting in two lanes in each direction, to alleviate congestion;
• Introduction of new bike lanes with lane line buffers in each direction to promote safe cycling;
• Creation of new bike ramp connection to the Ballona Creek Bike Path, connecting Hayden Tract businesses to the bike path;
• Widened sidewalks, making it safer for pedestrians;
• Traffic signal upgrades at Jefferson Blvd and new striping to improve traffic flow; and
• Added retaining walls, landscaping, and irrigation for an aesthetically pleasing bridge area.

Collaborators on the Higuera Street Bridge Replacement Project

• The City of Culver City planned, coordinated, and oversaw completion of the project, working in cooperation with Los Angeles County Flood Control District and the Army Corp of Engineers, which manage Ballona Creek, and with Caltrans (California Department of Transportation), the state agency responsible for transportation infrastructure, as well as the City of Los Angeles. These agencies coordinated with the City to meet safety standards, provide technical expertise, and facilitate the project.

• Contractor Ortiz Enterprises, Inc. was the construction company responsible for the bridge replacement and bike ramp, both demolition and new construction. IDC Consulting provided design engineering for the Project and Biggs Cardosa/Mark Thomas managed the Project and provided inspection services.

Funding for the Higuera Street Bridge Replacement Project

The bridge replacement was funded largely by a grant from the Federal Highway Bridge Program, with additional funding from local Culver City matching funds. The Federal Highway Bridge Program supports critical infrastructure enhancements and safety improvements on bridges across the country. The connecting ramp to the Ballona Creek Bike Path was funded by a Metro’s Call for Projects grant, a Baldwin Hills and Urban Watersheds Conservancy Proposition 84 grant, and local Culver City matching funds. Culver City matching funds included monies from Gas Tax, Measure R, Cumulus Traffic Mitigation Funds, and General Funds.

The Higuera Street Bridge Replacement Project marks a significant milestone in the City's commitment to providing modern and efficient infrastructure for its residents and visitors. The improved bridge will foster a more connected and accessible community.

Learn more about the Higuera Street Bridge Replacement Project.

Congresswoman Sydney Kamlager-Dove spoke about the completion of the project, celebrating with Culver City Council Members Dan O'Brien, Göran Eriksson, and Freddy Puza.

Culver City's Senior Engineer/Project Manager Sammy Romo recognizing collaborators, with Engineering Manager Mate Gaspar, Public Works Director Yanni Demitri, and Council Member Dan O'Brien looking on.

Jim Shanman from Walk ‘n Rollers and Bicycle & Pedestrian Advisory Committee members Travis Morgan and Jack Gallanty attended the commemoration.