ENCINITAS — A new report found that of the 46 bridges owned or maintained by the city of Encinitas, only two were in poor condition, while the majority were rated satisfactory.
The assessment outlines a recommended 10-year repair plan estimated at about $5.9 million, including $3.8 million to reconstruct the San Elijo Creek Bridge. The report says the estimates are preliminary and intended for planning purposes.
The city maintains nine vehicular deck bridges, 11 storm drain culverts that qualify as bridges and 26 pedestrian bridges, according to city documents.
Most of the vehicular bridges were built by Caltrans and San Diego County between the 1950s and 1980s, while the pedestrian bridges were largely built in the early 2000s in line with a city master plan, according to the documents.
The city allocated $275,000 for the assessment in June 2025 and awarded the contract to Kleinfelder Inc. in January 2026.
Teams led by certified national bridge inspectors conducted hands-on inspections during the week of April 6, with an additional inspection of the Town Center Drive bridge on June 16. Inspectors examined major bridge components, probed timber for deterioration, checked concrete and measured cracks and other defects.
Kelly Burnell of Kleinfelder told the City Council at its Sept. 9 meeting that a poor rating “doesn’t mean they’re unsafe.”
“Poor means that some of the primary components of the bridge – whether it’s a column or a girder – is starting to show signs of deterioration,” Burnell said. “And that deterioration is not yet affecting the ability of the bridge to perform, but it might in the future. So we need to pay attention to it.”
The two lowest-rated bridges were the South Coast Highway 101 bridge over the San Elijo Lagoon in Cardiff-by-the-Sea and the westernmost pedestrian bridge at Leucadia Oaks Park.
Burnell said the Highway 101 bridge is “in a rough spot with the tide running right under it – that’s hard on bridges.”
City documents described that bridge as “the most significant structural concern” and said rehabilitation plans are already in the design phase.
The report identifies the Highway 101 bridge as the highest priority and says it is already programmed for rehabilitation using federal funds through the Highway Bridge Program.
Burnell said the Oaks Park bridge had a “timber structure where primary beams are showing some signs of deterioration.”
Most recommended repairs throughout the city address minor issues that do not threaten the bridges’ structural integrity, the report says. Common work includes repairing timber railings or planks, removing debris from drainage channels and minor regrading.
Inspectors also found concrete deterioration and signs of water intrusion at some structures. The report recommends early repairs to damaged concrete to help prevent corrosion of the reinforcing steel beneath it.
The proposed 10-year plan focuses on completing or beginning recommended work on the 10 highest-priority bridges. Cost estimates assume contractors would perform the work and account for annual cost increases of 5%.
Of the remaining bridges, 10 were rated fair, 26 satisfactory and eight good. Burnell said the city’s bridges were in relatively good condition overall.
“We look at a lot of bridges for a lot of cities,” Burnell said. “Overall, the condition of your structures in Encinitas is not too bad. It’s in pretty good shape.”
