Construction starts on new SLO County bridge 3 years after storm washed out road
Construction has officially started on a permanent two-lane bridge spanning an area washed out by winter storms in San Luis Obispo County three years ago.
SLO County Public Works and Granite Construction Inc. are building the new Chimney Rock Road bridge over Franklin Creek near Fawn Lane in Paso Robles, according to a county news release on Monday.
The finished bridge will replace an existing single-lane steel bridge at the site.
The steel bridge was constructed as a temporary solution after a series of storms in 2023 washed out culverts beneath Chimney Rock Road, causing an 80-foot-long and 50-foot-deep canyon splitting the road, the release said.
The new permanent bridge is expected to be complete this winter.
Detour in place while new Paso Robles bridge is built
While construction is underway, travelers will have to take a traffic detour with a strict 15 mph speed limit, the release said.
Temporary traffic signals will be in place on both sides of the construction detour to alert drivers in advance.
“Residents and motorists are advised to use caution and adhere to advisory signs,” SLO County Public Works said in the release.
This story was originally published April 27, 2026 at 12:02 PM.
