Maxwell Bridge Replacement

Sleek new twin-bridges replacing old steel lift span as part of Flood Control.

As part of the City of Napa’s Flood Control District, the Maxwell Bridge Replacement was part of the tail end of a $250 million plan to reduce the flood levels in Napa by 3 ft, to improve traffic, reduce congestion, and to reduce the need to operate and maintain the lift bridge to regulate boat traffic.

The $36 million dollar bridge replacement project included the construction of two new 2400 ft long cast-in-place (CIP) Box Girder Bridge over the Napa River.  The bridge’s vertical profile reaches over 60 feet to allow for boat traffic to safely operate underneath it.  The bridges consist of 4 independent bridge frames for the main structure and slab bridge on pile extensions on the approach structures.  The existing steel lift span bridge was removed and demolished.

The bridge was vital crossing over the Napa River on Imola Avenue/SR 121, was chosen as Project of the Year (2007) from hundreds of endeavors across the state, and was noted by the California Transportation Foundation for being a “case study in state/local collaboration.”

Further, City of Napa Public Works Director, Mike O’Bryon said, “What distinguished this project from all of the other transportation projects in the state was the extraordinary partnership and cooperation that was required to adequately fund this project and maintain the multiple funding sources that resulted in project success.”

Sunny Jhutti’s role on this project was the Structure’s Representative for Caltrans and also spent several months as Resident Engineer.  He managed a staff of six Assistant Structure’s Representatives, reviewed technical submittals and was instrumental in the success of this project.

Value Added to the Client

Completing the job as fast as possible while coping with the restrictive in-water work window.  The first span was opened to traffic before the Napa River flood of 12/31/05.  Keeping traffic moving on the heavily-used Imola Avenue/SR 121 route while the new bridge was being built. Keeping railroad tracks open for use throughout construction.  Revising the design with a Contractor initiated Cost Reduction Incentive Proposal (CRIP) saving the Department of Transportation hundreds of thousands of dollars.

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