Those interested in learning more about the Oñate Bridge closure are invited to attend a community meeting at 6 p.m. today at The Misión on the Plaza de Española.
The discussion will focus on the closure of the bridge and the impact it has had on traffic. City of Española officials will meet with New Mexico Department of Transportation representatives for an open question and answer session.
The following topics will be discussed:
• The effects on West Side businesses and residents;
• The projected timeline for the repairs to the bridge and when it might be reopened; and
• Available resources, next steps and more.
The bridge closed on June 7, with very short notice given to city officials and the public. The closure was announced two days before it happened.
“Out of an abundance of caution and with public safety as its top priority, the New Mexico Department of Transportation (NMDOT) will close the historic Oñate Bridge in Española at 8 a.m. on Saturday, June 7, ahead of the anticipated monsoon season,” Kristine Bustos-Mihelcic, the NMDOT communications director wrote.
The NMDOT began monitoring the bridge in 2019 after an underwater inspection showed erosion at a pier. A follow-up inspection in January of this year found there was more deterioration, which prompted additional hydraulic monitoring, which confirmed the need to take action, the press release said.
Engineers will address the ongoing concerns regarding erosion of the river bed around one of the piers, that could pose a risk when the river flow is high, the release said.
“In recent months, NMDOT’s Bridge Bureau, Drainage Bureau and District Five collaborated with the Federal Highway Administration (FHWA) to evaluate the bridge’s condition and explore options for continued monitoring,” the release said. “A joint assessment in June with FHWA scour experts resulted in the decision to close the bridge prior to any significant rainfall events.”
The bridge is closed to vehicle and pedestrian traffic, which means drivers trying to get to the West Side must use either the Santa Clara Bridge or the Valdez Bridge. Until further evaluations and potential mitigation efforts are explored, the bridge will remain closed.