Friday November 4, 2022
CalTrout —
The Santa Ana Boulevard Bridge Replacement Project is a great example of this important stakeholder collaboration and a critical step towards the complete removal of Matilija Dam.
Ventura County Public Works hosted a ribbon cutting ceremony on October 17, 2022 to celebrate the Santa Ana Boulevard Bridge replacement. This new bridge brings us one step closer to a restored Ventura River watershed.
CalTrout, as a part of the Matilija Coalition, along with Surfrider, Patagonia, Resources Legacy Fund, and Ojai Valley Land Conservancy worked together to help Ventura County Public Works secure $13 million to replace the Santa Ana Boulevard bridge. The new bridge provides community benefits including wider traffic lanes, earthquake safety updating, and an expanded sidewalk. The updated bridge also addresses a known section of the river where sediment collects hindering passage for endangered Southern California steelhead.
“Dam removal is not a one step process.” said Russell Marlow, CalTrout Ventura Senior Project Manager. “Before we can start taking Matilija dam down, there is a collection of other downstream infrastructure projects we need to first complete . This bridge replacement is one of those projects. Its completion sets the stage for dam removal, and it builds our momentum towards a restored and free flowing Ventura River.” Representing CalTrout, Marlow is a part of the Matilija Coalition which brings many stakeholders together to advocate for the Matilija Dam Ecosystem Restoration Project (MDERP).