Bike Path Bridge to Receive FEMA Money to Rebuild

The bridge for bikers was closed when it collapsed and fell into an estuary that flows into the ocean in February 2024.

The $6 million bike path bridge “fell into the ocean” in February 2024, and may now be repaired with FEMA funds, according to Kerjon Lee, chief communications director for Los Angeles Public Works. This two-year-old concrete slab bridge was located on the beach across from Entrada and Chautauqua.

Bridge/path construction began in February 2022, and was funded with a $2.2 million active Transportation Program Grant and $3.8 million in Los Angeles County Measure R Local Return Funds.

The expansion was about .6 miles and created a 30-ft.-wide path that was striped and separated into a dedicated pedestrian trail and dedicated bike path. It included construction of a concrete slab bridge, removal and replacement of culverts, modifications to rest areas and new benches, trash receptacles and bicycle racks.

Many may remember the May 2023 dedication of the bike bridge and a portion of the 22-mile Marvin Braude bike path that extends from Will Rogers State Beach at Temescal to Torrance.

At that ceremony, Horvath said, “The Marvin Braude Trail is a Los Angeles County gem . . .Los Angeles County has invested in making the path safer and more enjoyable for those on foot and bike.”

In February 2024, heavy rains caused a swell of water under the bridge, which took out the concrete supports. A few days later, a subsequent rainstorm caused the bridge portion to collapse into the running water sending debris into the ocean.

Palisades residents urged the county to repair the structure before heavy summer usage. Outgoing Community Council President Maryam Zar wrote in a June 26 [2024] email to Zachary Gaidzik, Coastal and Westside Field Deputy for Horvath, “Can anyone in charge give me information about when and how this path will be restored?

In a June 28 Gaidzik wrote, “As it stands, work to repair the path is currently set to begin in September, much later than we originally hoped as the repair work requires additional permission from the California Coastal Commission. We have stressed to the department the need to move with as much haste as possible while ensuring that this repair is secure and long lasting.”

CTN reached out to the Coastal Commission and asked about the delay, since it was a replacement construction.

Coastal Commission Public Information Officer Joshua Smith wrote in a July 1, 2024 email to CTN, “The commission is working with Los Angeles County to get access restored to this segment of the Coastal Trail. We’re currently reviewing the county’s permit application, which we received in June.”

Now almost a year later the bridge has not been repaired. CTN reached out to Horvath’s office and Lee responded.

“The damage occurred during a federally declared disaster (the winter storms),” he said. “This makes the repair of the bridge eligible for funding by FEMA.

“Project managers from Los Angeles County Public Works believe they are close to securing the final agency approvals needed to begin work on the Marvin Braude Bike Trail at Will Rogers State Beach,” Lee said. “Construction is expected to begin this summer with project completion set for the fall. The estimated cost of repairs is as much as $4.2 million.”

He was asked, “Was there any investigation down about the cause of the failure of the bridge and the project that cost $6 million?”

Lee said, “It was a combination of the December King Tides and intense February storms. There was no issue with bridge design or flaws in construction.”

This is the area where the bridge collapsed.