March 2023 Storm Damages

The County of Tulare experienced a series of severe rainstorms (atmospheric rivers) beginning in January of 2023, causing significant and widespread flooding and damage to critical transportation infrastructure throughout the County. While January and February storm damage has been remediated, the Resource Management Agency (RMA) has identified over 225 locations in need of critical emergency repairs as a result of the March 2023 storm events.

In response to the extensive damages, RMA, coordinating with the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA), the California Governor’s Office of Emergency Services (Cal OES), and the Federal Highway Administration (FHWA), is diligently at work expediting emergency repair projects with the primary goal of restoring access for communities and affected property owners. Given that the approximately 225 March Storm Event damage locations include roads that have been damaged to the point of being completely inaccessible to emergency services and residents, RMA’s priority has been focused on addressing those roads and bridges that pose a safety risk to the area or community.

Due to the magnitude of infrastructure damage experienced, Tulare County can potentially receive disaster assistance funding through the FEMA and FHWA Emergency Relief Program. In order to qualify for disaster relief assistance, the County must ensure that all work is conducted in accordance with all applicable State and Federal requirements. As part of this process, bridges in particular must procure proper hydraulic, environmental, and structural engineering services to ensure that repairs are appropriate and consistent with eligibility requirements for federal funding assistance.

The projects below represent high-priority locations and upcoming or in-progress projects. As the County continues through the recovery phase of the 2023 storms, RMA continues to work with FEMA, Cal OES, and FHWA to conduct damage assessments, evaluate both short-term (temporary) and long-term (permanent) repair options, and secure funding for repairs for all damage locations.

Location/
Description of Work		 Damage Status Progress/Completed Project Photo Estimated Value of Work

Rd 256 over
Deer Creek

(Location 46)

Emergency bridge repair (foundation stabilization) and temporary road rehabilitation at the southern bridge approach.

Emergency repair Complete.

 

$504,560

Mountain Road 109 (M109) over White River Bridge

(Location 34)

Emergency bridge repair (foundation stabilization) and temporary road rehabilitation at the southern and northern bridge approaches.

Emergency repair Complete.

$897,280

Road 224 over
Deer Creek

(Location 109)

Emergency bridge repair (foundation stabilization) and temporary road rehabilitation at the southern bridge approach.

 

Emergency repair Complete.

$596,075

Pratt St. (Road 96) over Tule River

(Location 181)

Bridge repair and temporary road rehabilitation at the southern bridge approach. Reinforcing foundation with rocks to prevent future erosion, sealing up eroded areas underneath bridge abutment and wingwalls.

Emergency repair Complete.

$94,818

M375A Mineral King Road from State Route 198 to Sequoia Gate 

(Location 118, 132, 241, & 242)

Temporary repairs at 43 locations along Mineral King Road where road and shoulders has washed out. Construct temporary bridge structure and repair pipe/culverts.

Temporary repairs have been completed and the route is accessible. Permanent repair project is currently working though engineering. Plan to commence with Permanent repair work by early 2025.

 $1,492,998

Road 248 over
Deer Creek

(Location 44)

Bridge (northern structure) and culvert (southern structure) repair and road reconstruction.  Reinforcing channel and around structures with rock slope protection.

Completed.

 $868,840

M137 (Reservation Drive)

(Location 5)

Repair various locations along Reservation Dr. where road and shoulders have washed out. Additional slope stabilization and temporary roadway widening required to install damaged sewer main line.

Emergency Repair Complete.

$612,343

M208A Wishon Drive from milepost 0 to milepost 4.23

(Location 192)

Repair various locations along Wishon Dr. where road and shoulders have washed out. Construct temporary bridge structure and repair pipe/culvert.

 

Emergency Repair
Complete. 

$1,262,449

M216 Redwood Drive from milepost 1.5
to End

(Location 183)

Repair various locations along Redwood Dr. where road and shoulders have washed out. Repair damage pipe/culverts.

Emergency Repair
Complete. 		 $1,589,825

Ferguson Drive & Mariposa Drive

(Location 193 & 194)

Repair various locations along Mariposa Drive where road and shoulders have washed out. Repair damaged pipe/culverts.

 

 Emergency Repair
Complete. 

$361,024

Ave 404 Bridge over Cottonwood Creek

(Location 23)

Demolish damaged bridge structure. Temporary bridge structure required while the permanent structure is designed/constructed (anticipated completion Spring 2028).

 

Emergency Repair Complete

   $974,997

M112 at MP 2.2
(Deer Creek River)

(Location 162)

Demolish damaged bridge structure at MP 2.2. Temporary bridge structure required while the permanent structure is designed/constructed (anticipated completion Spring 2028). Repair various locations along M112 where road and shoulders have washed out. Repair damaged pipe/culverts.

 

 Emergency Repair Complete   $961,106

M46 (Oakwood Ct) at Capinero Creek

(Location 20)

Replace damaged bridge structure. 

 

Construction began 12/11/2023 and will be completed in approximately 4 months.

   $2,860,000

Balch Park Rd & Bear Creek Rd

(Locations: 318)

Repair various locations along Balch Park and Bear Creek Roads where road and shoulders have washed out. Construct temporary bridge structure and repair pipe/culvert.

 

Emergency repair complete.

 

 $3,810,571

M172A (Globe Dr) 

(Locations 1, 8, & 145)

Repair damaged bridge structures at Upper and Lower Globe Dr. Repair damaged section of roadway located south of Upper Globe Dr. bridge. 

 

Temporary repairs have been completed and access across Globe Drive Bridges has been restored. Further work at these locations will be required pending completion of Hydraulic Analysis by engineering.

   $1,954,979

Ave 280 west of
Rd 176 at
Outside Creek

(Location 104)

Repair western bridge abutment and road approach. 

 

 

 

Permanent repairs have been completed and the route is accessible.

$495,000

M99

(Location 16)

Repair various locations along M99 where road and shoulders have washed out. Repair damaged pipe/culverts.

 Completed. Roadway access has been fully restored.   $1,636,017

M107 (Western Divide Hwy) @ milepost 5.5

(Location 274)

Repair slope failure to preserve road access.

 

 Completed   $1,598,710

M296 (Yokohl Dr)

(Locations:
186, 258, & 259)

Repair various locations along Yokohl Dr. where road and shoulders have washed out. Repair damaged pipe/culverts.

 

Temporary repair work completed. Permanent repair project needed.

 

 

 $205,000

Ave 56 from SR 43 BSNF Railroad

(Location 224)

Elevated existing road to maintain access to the community of Alpaugh. Alternative for permanent roadway currently being evaluated.

 

Temporary elevated access road has been completed. Permanent repair project needed. 

 

 $3,100,000

M348 (South Fork Dr) south of LA347 (Blossom Dr) “Connelly” Bridge over Kaweah River

(Location 10)

Repair southern bridge abutment and road approach.

 

 Temporary repairs have been completed and access across Connelly Bridge has been restored. Further work at these locations will be required pending completion of Hydraulic Analysis by engineering.

 

 $337,500

M357 North of M363A "Bailey" Bridge over
North Fork of the Kaweah River at milepost 3.5

(Location 3)

Repair eastern bridge abutment and road approach. 

 

Temporary repairs have been completed and access across the bridge has been restored. Permanent work is with engineering, will require replacement railing and additional channel protective measures.

 

 $250,000

M56 (Manter Meadows)
at Capinero Creek

(Location 19)

Replace culvert crossing and concrete headwalls at Manter Meadows over Capinero Creek.

 

Temporary repair completed. Permanent repair project needed.

 

 $1,110,000

M276 Blue Ridge Road from M276 (Balch Park Road) to end.

(Location 256)

 

Repair various locations along M276 Blue Ridge Road where road and shoulders have washed out. Repair/unplug damaged pipe/culverts.

 

 Completed   $496,292

Pierce Valley Drive, Eshom Valley Drive, and Whitaker Forest Road 

(Locations
185,195, & 303)

Repair and stabilize road and shoulders that have been washed out or damaged by fallen debris and/or rocks. Repair culvert washouts to establish access to traffic. 

   Temporary repairs have been completed and access has been restored. Permanent work, including HMA paving and culvert upsizing, is working through engineering   $981,055
In addition to the above contracted work, Tulare County staff has or will make the following repairs via force account work.
Location/Description Before Status After Estimated Value

M152 from MP 10.5 to MP 25.50 - Kennedy Meadows

(Location 306)

Debris removal and repair various locations where road and shoulders have washed out. Repair damaged pipe/culverts.

Completed.  

A280 at Yokohl Creek (M296)

(Location 197)

Bridge approach washout.

 Completed.  

Road 272 Bridge over Deer Creek

(Location 53)

Bridge approach washout.

 Completed.  

M46 (Oakwood Ct) east of M56 at Capinero Creek

(Location 20)

Temporary access road established. Permanent bridge design in progress. Anticipated construction December 2023.

 Completed.  

A56 from SH 43 (BSNF R/R) 9425' to Private R/R

(Location 224)

Debris removal and repair various locations where road and shoulders have washed out.

 Completed.