Kleinfelder Recognized by ASCE San Diego Section for Contributions to City of Carlsbad’s El Camino Real Bridge Improvements at Cannon Road Project
SAN DIEGO, California (July 11, 2023) – The City of Carlsbad’s El Camino Real Bridge Improvements at Cannon Road project has been honored with the Outstanding Bridge Project Award by the American Society of Civil Engineers (ASCE) San Diego Section. ASCE’s annual project awards are bestowed upon projects that exemplify engineering excellence, contribute to engineering progress, and positively impact the local community.
As the primary design consultant for this scenic corridor project, Kleinfelder played a crucial role in enhancing local transportation infrastructure while protecting the natural environment. The project encompassed a range of multi-modal improvements, including road widening, enhanced buffered bike lanes, bridge safety railing upgrades, major utilities undergrounding and landscaping, and the construction of a new pedestrian bridge spanning over the Agua Hedionda Creek.
The project’s primary objective was to enhance connectivity for vehicles, bicyclists, and particularly pedestrians, as walkway access was previously limited in this segment of El Camino Real. In order to protect the sensitive Agua Hedionda Creek during the installation of the new pedestrian bridge and associated improvements, the project team implemented careful measures to minimize impacts to the creek’s jurisdictional aquatic resources, including special-status species and sensitive vegetation communities/habitat. This included installing piles, abutments, and the bridge outside of the creek limits to mitigate potential harm. Additionally, the project lies on a scenic corridor under the jurisdiction of the California Coastal Commission which required special consideration and approvals for the aesthetics of the pedestrian bridge and landscaping.
Despite the complex hydraulics of the Agua Hedionda Creek, the bridge was strategically constructed above the floodplain, ensuring an unobstructed flow of water during flood events. Furthermore, by employing a prefabricated steel bridge that was partially assembled offsite and then hoisted into place, Kleinfelder successfully minimized lane closures and reduced the presence of construction equipment, thereby minimizing disruptions to the local community and impacts to the ecologically sensitive habitat.
Sustainability was also a key consideration throughout the project. The design incorporates water-wise landscaping, utilizing decomposed granite and river rock instead of grass at the bridge approaches to conserve water. The selection of wide canopy trees not only offers cooling benefits but also contributes to water conservation.
Commenting on the project award, Kleinfelder Project Manager Karibia Baillargeon expressed her enthusiasm for the recognition, stating, “We are honored to be recognized by the ASCE San Diego Section for our contributions to the El Camino Real Bridge Improvements at Cannon Road project. This was a long and complex project that required substantial collaboration among the design team and with multiple stakeholders. The award is a testament to the team’s commitment to overcoming challenges to deliver innovative, practical, and sustainable solutions that will positively impact the community for years to come.”
Kleinfelder. Bright People. Right Solutions. Founded in 1961, Kleinfelder is a leading engineering, design, construction management, construction materials inspection and testing, and environmental professional services firm. Kleinfelder employs more than 3,100 professionals and operates from over 105 office locations in the United States, Canada, and Australia. The company is headquartered in San Diego, California. Poised for growth, Kleinfelder continues to provide high-quality solutions for our diverse client base. Visit Kleinfelder.com or follow us on LinkedIn/Kleinfelder.
