SR 46/99 Famoso Bridge Replacement
The Famoso Bridge Replacement Project demolished and replaced the aging SR 46/99 separation bridge in Kern County, bringing the interchange to current Caltrans seismic and geometric standards.
Overview.
The Famoso Bridge Replacement Project addressed a structurally deficient grade-separated overpass carrying State Route 46 over State Route 99 near the unincorporated community of Famoso, approximately 20 miles north of Bakersfield in Kern County. The original bridge no longer met current Caltrans standards for seismic performance, geometric design, or traffic capacity along the SR 99 corridor. The $14 million project required construction of the replacement bridge on a new alignment south of the existing structure, followed by complete demolition and removal of the original overpass — all while maintaining traffic flow on SR 99, one of the Central Valley's primary north-south freight corridors. Below is a detailed breakdown of the project:
Project goals.
The primary objectives of the Famoso Bridge Replacement were:
To construct a new bridge carrying SR 46 over SR 99 that meets current Caltrans seismic and geometric design standards.
To demolish and fully remove the original grade separation structure without extended closures on SR 99.
To reconfigure the southbound and northbound SR 99 ramps into standard half-diamond and T-intersection configurations at Famoso Road.
To remove and replace the existing box culvert where SR 46 crosses the Lerdo Canal with a longer structure extending beneath both the highway and adjacent frontage road.
"The Famoso interchange is a critical junction between two major Central Valley routes. Replacing the bridge and modernizing the ramp geometry improves safety and freight access for one of California's highest-volume agricultural corridors."
Key solutions implemented.
Construction began with the new bridge structure built on a shifted alignment south of the existing overpass, allowing SR 99 mainline traffic to continue operating during the majority of construction. Once the new structure was completed and traffic transitioned, the original bridge was demolished and removed in staged operations coordinated with Caltrans traffic management plans.
The interchange ramp geometry was fully reconfigured as part of the replacement. Southbound SR 99 ramps were replaced with half-diamond standard ramps, while northbound SR 99 ramps were realigned to connect with a new T-intersection at Famoso Road. These modifications brought the interchange into compliance with current Caltrans design standards for merge/diverge distances and sight lines.
A significant ancillary scope involved the Lerdo Canal crossing. The existing box culvert beneath SR 46 was removed and replaced with a longer culvert extending beneath both the realigned highway and the adjacent frontage road. This work required close coordination with the Kern County Water Agency and adherence to streambed alteration agreement conditions throughout the canal crossing construction.
Outcomes achieved.
Bridge constructed:
New grade-separated overpass carrying SR 46 over SR 99, built to current seismic and geometric standards.Bridge demolished:
Original structure fully removed with minimal disruption to SR 99 mainline traffic.Interchange modernized:
All ramp connections reconfigured to current Caltrans design standards.Culvert replaced:
Lerdo Canal box culvert extended beneath both SR 46 and the frontage road alignment.Contract value: $14 million.
The completed project is part of the broader SR 99 corridor modernization effort through Kern County, improving safety and operational capacity at a key junction serving agricultural freight, commuter traffic, and regional connectivity between SR 46 and SR 99.
