Embarcadero Bridge over Lake Merritt Channel, Oakland, CA

The Embarcadero Bridge, which spans the Lake Merritt Channel where it joins the Oakland-Alameda Estuary, was replaced by a new, seismically safer structure with enhanced pedestrian and bicycle access. The project complements the City’s Measure DD vision of improving water quality and pedestrian, bike and recreational access to Lake Merritt, the Lake Merritt Channel and the Estuary. The replacement project is part of the California Department of Transportation (Caltrans) bridge inspection program. As the Prime Consultant, Biggs Cardosa provided bridge construction inspection, special inspection and materials testing. The project involved the removal and disposal of an existing 500-foot long bridge and construction of a new 535-foot long four-span cast-in-place post-tensioned concrete box girder bridge. The Biggs Cardosa team assisted the City’s Resident Engineer providing construction observation, monitoring, inspection and the materials testing required by FHWA and Caltrans.