DATE: August 19, 2026
TO: Honorable Mayor and City Councilmembers
FROM: Development Services Department
TITLE: APPROVAL TO ACCEPT $10,175,938 IN GRANT FUNDS FOR THE CONSTRUCTION OF THE DOUGLAS DRIVE BRIDGE SEISMIC RETROFIT PROJECT
RECOMMENDATION
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Staff recommends that the City Council accept and appropriate $10,175,938 in additional Federal-Aid funds and authorize acceptance and appropriation of any future federal construction funds awarded for the Douglas Drive Bridge Seismic Retrofit over San Luis Rey River (Douglas Bridge Seismic Retrofit project) through the Federal Highway Bridge Program.
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BACKGROUND AND ANALYSIS
The Douglas Drive bridge over the San Luis Rey River (SLRR) was built in 1965 and has been identified by the California Department of Transportation (Caltrans) as requiring seismic improvements due to structural deficiencies. The bridge serves as a critical transportation corridor within the City, providing an important east-west connection across the San Luis Rey River.
In January 2016, the City Council approved acceptance of federal funds and a Professional Services Agreement for engineering, environmental, and design services associated with the Douglas Drive Bridge Seismic Retrofit Project. At that time, the project was advancing through the preliminary engineering and environmental review phases necessary to evaluate seismic retrofit and replacement alternatives.
Since Council approval, the City has completed environmental review, final design, and other project development activities necessary to prepare the project for construction. Through the environmental and engineering evaluation process, the project advanced as a bridge rehabilitation project and installation of a fish passageway to address long-term structural, operational, environmental, and seismic resiliency needs.
To date, the project has received $3,364,140 in federal funding for preliminary engineering and design activities. No federal right-of-way funding was required for the project. Caltrans has now authorized an additional $10,175,938 in Federal Highway Bridge Program funds for the construction phase of the Douglas Drive Bridge Seismic Retrofit Project, which does not include replacement of the bridge. This authorization represents the initial federal construction funding allocation for the project and will allow the City to proceed with construction of the seismic retrofits of the bridge.
The project will rehabilitate the existing structure spanning the San Luis Rey River and improve seismic performance, public safety, and long-term operational reliability. The project will also enhance mobility along the Douglas Drive corridor, an important transportation route serving residents, businesses, and visitors.
Construction is anticipated to begin in April 2027, pending receipt of all required regulatory permits, and is expected to be completed in November 2028. In accordance with permit requirements, work will not be permitted when water is present in the river or from November to April, which is considered the wet season by regulatory agencies; these are similar permitting requirements for the City’s SLRR mowing efforts.
The Federal Highway Administration approved the construction funding authorization in May 2026. The authorization increases the total federal funding commitment for the project to approximately $13.5 million, including prior preliminary engineering authorizations. Construction costs will be eligible for reimbursement at a federal participation rate of 88.53%, with the remaining 11.47% local match funded through the San Diego Association of Governments (SANDAG) TransNet program.
The E-76 authorization also extends the Project End Date (PED) to November 30, 2029, to reflect the anticipated construction schedule and project closeout activities.
Acceptance and appropriation of the awarded funds will ensure the City can proceed with construction activities in accordance with the approved federal funding agreement and project delivery schedule. Staff also recommends that the City Council authorize the acceptance and appropriation of any future federal construction funds awarded for the Douglas Drive Bridge Seismic Retrofit Project through the Federal Highway Bridge Program, thereby minimizing administrative delays and allowing the City to efficiently advance the project as additional funding opportunities become available.
FISCAL IMPACT
|
Account |
Current Federal Share Project Total |
New Federal Share Project Appropriation |
Total Federal Share Project |
|
Douglas Bridge Seismic Retrofit 817140800273.5703 817140800273.4382 |
$3,364,140 |
$10,175,938 |
$13,540,078 |
The California Department of Transportation has authorized an additional $10,175,938 in federal Highway Bridge Program funds for the construction phase of the Douglas Drive Bridge Seismic Retrofit Project, for a total of $13,540,078 of Federal Share for this project. No General Fund impact is associated with this action.
COMMISSION OR COMMITTEE REPORT
Not applicable.
CITY ATTORNEY’S ANALYSIS
Does not apply.
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Prepared by: Gricel Beltran-Taj, Senior Management Analyst
Reviewed by: : Brian Thomas, Acting Development Services Director
Submitted by: Jonathan Borrego, City Manager
ATTACHMENTS:
1. E-76 Sequence 5