Editor’s Note: This article was originally printed as an April Fool’s joke. It is purely satire.

Well it took less then a week for the controversies to fly about the new Cross Valley Connector, but this one will have the $245 million project shut down.

The issues stands that builders of the 1,100 ft bridge failed to follow state regulation prohibiting the development of a structure within a natural watershed.

The dry area underneath the bridge is actually part of an underground water corridor and the abutments that hold the structure are preventing that water from flowing.

“What we have here is a blatant disregard for the environment,” said a spokesperson for the Environmental Protection Agency.  “This bridge is devastating natural habitat downstream.”

The EPA has been investigating the matter since the first concrete was poured, but said the company misrepresented the building area, classifying it as a dry riverbed.

“The problem presented itself when the water stopped flowing,” said the EPA.  “There were literally fish down stream flopping around on dry ground.”

To rectify the problem, the city is looking into two different options. They will either have to demolish the bridge all together or build a man made corridor to reroute the water over the bridge.

“Both of our options are going to be costly but we are leaning towards demolishing the bridge entirely and starting over,” said Robert Newman, Director of the City’s Public Works.  “Reconstruction wouldn’t be that difficult and besides what is a couple of extra years to the residents?  At the opening ceremony Buck McKeon said he had been promised this connector since 1969 and if he can wait that long, five more years is a drop in the bucket.”

The building company could not be reached for comment, but a note left on their office door said, “moved to Switzerland, enjoy the bridge,” signed management.

The City is inviting all residents to take part in a Mini Corn Dogs and Explosion party, located in the middle of the Cross Valley Connector bridge.  Officials say it is sure to be one explosive party.

While the debate over what will be done with the bridge rages on, City officials must now look at ways to ease traffic congestion.

They have already embraced the idea using students from local schools as rickshaw drivers, which would help with the cuts the Hart District is making as well.

Another idea is putting in a zipline from the top of the mountain to connect Newhall Ranch Road to Golden Valley Road.

The city is also looking at ways to help keep the water flowing in the meantime.  A hole has been dug down to the water and workers are using buckets to carry water out of the whole and dumping it on the other side of the bridge.

“Our method seems to be working,” said Newman.

If you believe that this story is real, well we at KHTS have done our job once again in fooling you on April Fools.