Friday March 17, 2023
Times of San Diego —
Non-profit conservation group California Trout has begun construction on a Sandia Creek Drive bridge replacement and fish passage project in San Diego County.
The project removes the last remaining barrier to the migration of endangered Southern steelhead trout in the Santa Margarita River. In the process, the project will replace the existing bridge, a flood hazard that becomes completely submerged during heavy rains, with a new steel bridge. Designed with coastal resilience in mind, the new structure will run above the 100-year flood mark, improving traffic flow and pedestrian safety.
“We are thrilled that NOAA has joined our funding cohort for $3.2M to support the implementation of this multi-benefit project,” said Sandra Jacobson, director of CalTrout’s South Coast and Sierra Regions. “The NOAA grant will help fund not only construction tasks but also the development of a locally trained and employed Climate Crew to maintain the lands of this pristine watershed in Southern California.”