Construction has begun on the Otay River Bridge, perhaps the largest and most exciting part of the SR 125 South project — the highly anticipated and privately funded 10-mile express toll road that will connect SR 54 in Spring Valley to SR 905 in Otay Mesa. 

At three quarters of a mile long (that’s the length of 11 football fields) and 18 stories (180 ft) tall at its highest point, the four-lane bridge will take South Bay travel to new heights as it provides SR 125 South commuters with a quick, reliable connection to Otay Mesa/International Border.

“The construction of the Otay River Bridge is a remarkable engineering feat,” said Greg Hulsizer, CEO of California Transportation Ventures, Inc., the Chula Vista-based company that is building and operating the express toll road.  “The bridge is what engineers call a “segmental bridge” and there is only one other like it in California .”

The construction of a segmental bridge involves precasting each segment of the bridge superstructure (or top) and then it is put into place, piece by piece.  Because the segmental construction method allows the bridge’s top to be put together from above, it is an environmentally friendly way to build, as it minimizes impact on the Otay River Valley floor below.

The substructure (or base) for the bridge is made up of 11 sets of dual columns, which are built onsite from the ground up. Construction on the base of the bridge is currently underway. Casting of the top portion of the bridge has begun at a precast yard in Perris , California . The segments, each weighing between 50 and 70 tons and measuring about 35 feet wide and 10-16 feet tall, will be put on large trucks and driven to the site. Once there, they are lifted out from a launching pad and fitted into place on top of the supporting columns.

“With the opening of SR 125 South in Fall 2006, commuters will enjoy a fast, reliable and scenic drive as they travel across the Otay River Bridge and take in the beautiful vistas and lush landscape of the Chula Vista countryside,” said Hulsizer.

For more information on the Otay River Bridge and SR 125 South, go to www.sr125.com.