Century-old Picacho Road Bridge moves one step closer to repair

IMPERIAL COUNTY, Calif. (KYMA) - The first major step toward repairing the Picacho Road Bridge is officially moving forward.

Imperial County leaders announced demolition work on the century-old bridge will begin July 20.

The project starts with removing parts of the existing bridge so engineers can inspect its condition and determine whether it can be repaired while plans for a full replacement continue.

Local officials say the bridge is a critical connection for residents, emergency responders, businesses and the region's agriculture industry.

"This is not just a bridge that we're looking at here. This is a lifeline to the entire Bard-Quechan community," Imperial County Supervisor John Hawk said.

County officials estimate a full replacement would cost more than $8 million. While funding has not yet been secured, they say they're pursuing state and federal grant opportunities to help pay for the project.

Quechan Tribal President Jonathan Koteen said the closure has affected not only the tribe, but surrounding communities, local businesses and agriculture.

"The negative impacts affect all of us," Koteen said. "It takes all of us to come together and address the problem."

The U.S. Bureau of Reclamation is also working with the county on the project. Officials say their top priority is making sure water continues flowing through the nearby canal, which supplies farms across the region and delivers water to Mexico under an international treaty.

County leaders say reopening the bridge remains a priority as work moves into its first phase later this month.