SUNNYVALE’S WOLFE ROAD BRIDGE TO CLOSE FOR REPAIRS

$1.2 M project paid for with federal stimulus funds

SUNNYVALE, Calif. – A $1.2 million grant of federal stimulus funds will be used to make repairs to the Wolfe Road Bridge. The span carries four lanes of traffic over the Caltrain tracks. The work will replace a part of the bridge support system. The award of the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act (ARRA) stimulus funds to this Sunnyvale Works! project marks one of the first such awards in California.

The ARRA stimulus funds, along with about a half-million dollars in state Proposition 1B monies, will cover nearly the entire cost of the project. The construction work is necessary because of a failure in the bearing pads that are placed at the ends of the bridge. While the bridge is completely safe for travel, over time, with failed bearing pads, there could be significant damage.

“It’s unusual to see a failure in the bearing pads,” explained Sunnyvale’s Assistant Director of Public Works Mark Rogge. “Pads should last the lifetime of the bridge.” 

Each bearing pad acts almost as a shock absorber at bridge joints. With the failure of the bearing pads, the bridge has settled, creating a noticeable dip as drivers enter the bridge.

In order to repair the structure, a two-million pound section of the bridge will have to be lifted by hydraulic jacks to provide access to the bearing pads. The job becomes more challenging because the bridge spans the Caltrain right-of-way; both workers and trains need to remain protected and safe during the repair operation. Repair work over the railroad tracks will only occur when trains are not running.

The Wolfe Road Bridge will close for construction October 8. The road closure is estimated to last about 30 days. During that time, local detour signs will be posted, but for those commuting to or from more distant locations, either Fair Oaks Avenue or Lawrence Expressway should be used as alternate routes to avoid any local congestion.

For more information, contact the Sunnyvale Communications Office at (408) 730-7535, TDD (408) 730-7501, or by e-mail at communications@ci.sunnyvale.ca.us.