Request for Proposals (RFP) for Civil Engineering Services for Fern Drive Bridge Replacement Project

The County is seeking a qualified consulting firm to provide civil engineering design services for the Fern Drive Bridge Replacement Project (Bridge No. 36C-0071). Fern Drive Bridge is located over the San Lorenzo River and is approximately 4.5 miles north of Boulder Creek in Santa Cruz County.

The project will consist of completely replacing the existing structure and roadway approaches with a new 2 lane concrete bridge and bridge approaches meeting current design standards. The existing bridge is a three-span, 71-foot-long reinforced concrete deck on steel girder structure. The Fern Drive bridge is being replaced due to substandard load capacity, deck geometry, approach alignment and structural deficiency. The bridge was deemed “unstable” in April 2025 in the Special Feature Inspection report.

The Fern Drive Bridge Replacement Project was originally advertised in 2012. After the competitive bidding process, TRC Engineers, Inc. (TRC) was contracted to provide civil engineering design services. Many preliminary design tasks were completed before all work was halted on the project while the County shifted focus and resources to storm damage projects after the 2017 winter storms. Work previously completed will be provided to the consultant for design purposes.

The bridge is listed in the Highway Bridge Program (HBP) and will be primarily funded through the Federal Highway Administration (FHWA). The remaining funds will be provided by the County local match in cooperation with California Department of Transportation (Caltrans). Consulting firm services must comply with the latest requirements of the Caltrans Local Assistance Procedures Manual (LAPM), Federal, State, and local regulations