The Walsh Group is working to complete the California Department of Transportation's (Caltrans) $222.5 million Interstate 805 South Bridge Safety and Sound Walls Project this coming summer.
Construction began in July 2024, and crews have made progress since then, according to Caltrans.
Caltrans photo
"[The goals are to] preserve and enhance this vital transportation route through the revitalization and construction of essential infrastructure," according to the Caltrans project web page. "Caltrans aims to improve infrastructure performance and longevity by modernizing assets. Additionally, Caltrans is committed to enhancing safety by supporting regional mobility by promoting sustainability through comprehensive corridor improvements. These efforts are designed to increase accessibility for all travelers, ensuring a smoother, safer journey for everyone."
The project, which is financed by regional funding, has key elements that include the addition of auxiliary lanes, sound walls and various safety improvements.
Those auxiliary lanes will be northbound I-805 from the Naples Street undercrossing to the Telegraph Canyon Road undercrossing, as well as on southbound I-805 at the Naples Street undercrossing. The lanes will allow drivers to safely speed up and slow down when merging on or off the freeway.
In addition, crews will work on bridge safety improvements at both the Telegraph Canyon Road and East Naples Street locations.
"These improvements will upgrade safety barriers to meet current code requirements and ensure that the bridges can continue to support the additional weight of vehicles traveling along the interstate," according to the Caltrans web page.
Retaining walls also are being constructed near the Telegraph Canyon Road undercrossing and the Naples Street undercrossing bridges.
Caltrans photo
"With the addition of these auxiliary lanes, we aim to enhance the overall safety and efficiency of the freeway," said Mayra Garcia, a Caltrans spokesperson.
This 24/7 project is having an impact on traffic, which has the day shift working between 6:30 a.m. and 3:30 p.m. The traffic management plan is based on evening intermittent ramp and lane closures from 9 p.m. to 5 a.m., as well as occasional full roadway closures in the evenings.
The sound walls were proposed in the overall project's EIR from 2012, with the phase 1 sound walls completed in 2019. Funding for phase 2 was confirmed in 2021, with design completion in 2023.
"The contractor is close to moving to stage 2," Garcia said. "This is anticipated [to start] in January 2026."
Walsh crews have achieved many benchmarks, which were supported by large work areas that provide sufficient space to store materials and equipment and set up field offices, while giving equipment operators ample space to move about and conduct operations. Crews are putting in both day and evening shifts.
To protect the crews working on the bridge from live traffic, K-rail was erected to provide safe working spaces. Furthermore, operations are taking place on roads approaching the bridge, which involves earthwork, excavation and site preparation.
The earthwork operations cover a two- to three-lane length area bounded by I-805 and local roads. Dozers and excavators helped to excavate the site, removing sandy soil.
Caltrans photo
Large Cat excavators with attached buckets worked in tandem with loaders on the shoulders to remove the soil. This work required dexterity because some locations have underground wiring and utilities and above-ground infrastructure.
The sound walls, approximately 14 ft. in height, help to reduce the noise for adjacent residential areas.
In some locations, sections are divided by prefabricated pillars. The concrete walls are cast-in-place. This work was aided by the space between the K-rail and the wall, which was wide enough for ready-mix trucks to deliver their loads.
As this effort progressed, several crews were able to operate simultaneously, including rebar crews and craft workers preparing the sections for the concrete pours. In some sections, experienced excavator operators made tight cuts into the ground.
Walsh is constructing concrete lanes for the approaches and for sections of the highway.
Caltrans photo
In one section, approximately three lanes in length and bounded by K-rail, multiple crews — excavation, site prep and pouring — were engaged. Stretches of several hundred feet were prepared for pouring operations. The crews installing the rebar assembled the system rapidly. The concrete was poured with the use of cranes, conveying the materials by the side of the road. In certain spots, prefabricated walls were installed.
For some sections of I-805, asphalt paving was laid. Some of these operations occurred at night. These operations, which benefited from enclosed working areas, were assisted by pavers, rollers and other standard support vehicles.
Smaller overpass bridges also experienced a revamp, with craft crews placing wooden facades for concrete pours. This work involved temporary lane closures.
The amounts for materials excavated and demolished, as well as new materials brought in, have not been finalized.
Walsh has many people on site, boosted by regional and local subcontractors.
Walsh has equipment working at various sites. Mechanics move from site to site, dealing with daily repairs and conducting routine maintenance. The firm has long-established relations with its dealerships. CEG
