New roadway set to open in just over one week.
Trips from one end of the Santa Clarita Valley to the other have generally been about as exciting as a root canal. The only way to travel east to west is Soledad Canyon Road, an aging three lane roadway that connects with Valencia Blvd. The city of Santa Clarita is hoping to change all that however, with the opening of the last major piece of the $245 million Cross Valley Connector.
The 8.5 mile roadway consists of two roads; Golden Valley and Newhall Ranch. Presently the two roads end at the Santa Clara River just north of Soledad Canyon Road. The 1,100 ft bridge that will connect the two will be opened Saturday March 27.
Thursday afternoon, a quick “hard hat” tour of the bridge was planned, offering a glimpse into the massive undertaking.
The new bridge came at a cost of $27 million, and it will accommodate three lanes of traffic in each direction, along with a dedicated bike trail. A separate bike trail will also connect to the bridge and run through a future development.
At some point in the future Golden Valley Road will split off and connect with Plum Canyon Road as well, however that depends on the speed in which Brookfield Homes builds their planned development nearby.
The bridge is actually made up of two bridges, constructed side by side. Not connecting the bridges saved the project several million dollars. The bridge also has several “joints” that allow the structure to be more flexible in the event of an earthquake.
At 11:00 a.m. on March 27, the City will host a grand opening party on the Newhall Ranch Road side of the bridge. The party will feature the Wells Fargo Stage Coach, which will usher the first people across the bridge. Taking the inaugural journey will be dignitaries and winners of a KHTS contest. To enter that contest, click here. Also attending the party will be those who made the process a reality, like members of the City Council, Congressman Buck McKeon, Supervisor Michael Antonovich and other state and U.S. officials.
Then, from 1:00 p.m. to 4:00 p.m. Centre Pointe Village is planning a party in front of Dick’s Sporting Goods. This celebration will include food vendors, games and a car show. Learn more by clicking here.
While this bridge will for the first time allow traffic across the entire length of the Cross Valley Connector, it is does not mean the project is entirely complete. The City still plans to widen the Golden Valley bridge over Highway 14.
To see a map of the Cross Valley Connector, click here.
Here are a few pictures of the evolution of the Cross Valley Connector:
City celebrates the opening of Golden Valley Road between Sierra Highway and Soledad Canyon Road (June 15, 2005 – picture courtesy of the city of Santa Clarita).
The City opens the segment of road between Copper Hill and Hwy 126 (Monday April 23, 2007 – picture courtesy of the city of Santa Clarita).
The Golden Valley Bridge over Soledad Canyon Road (picture courtesy of the city of Santa Clarita).
The groundbreaking ceremony for the bridge over the Santa Clara River – January 26, 2009.
Progress on the bridge over the Santa Clara River in August 2009.
One week before the opening of the bridge over the Santa Clara River.