Welcome to Santa Ynez Surf Bridge
Santa Ynez River Estuary and Surf Bridge Resilience Planning Project
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A new planning project is underway to consider replacement options for the Union Pacific railroad bridge that passes over the mouth of the Santa Ynez River (next to Ocean Park). This project offers an opportunity to restore the estuary, improve access to Ocean Park and Surf Beach, and ensure the safety of the bridge.
The project team hopes to replace the existing railroad bridge, which currently restricts water flow and damages habitats, with a new bridge that allows the river and shoreline to function more naturally. This effort will seek to use nature-based solutions (ex. restoring marshes and using plants to stabilize shorelines and prevent erosion) to reduce flooding, improve resilience to sea level rise and storms, and protect vital transportation routes.
PROJECT LOCATION
Santa Ynez Surf Bridge
What is the primary goal of this project?
This project seeks to replace the existing railroad bridge while implementing nature based solutions, such as those described above, to improve coastal resiliency. Additional benefits of this project may include estuary restoration as a result of bridge design and improved public access to Ocean Park and Surf Beach.
What is the geographic scope of the project?
The project area includes Surf Bridge, Ocean Park, the northern portion of Surf Beach and the lower portion of the Santa Ynez Estuary including the Santa Ynez River mouth.
Who is funding the project?
Funding for the current planning project is provided by the National Fish and Wildlife Foundation's National Coastal Resilience Fund. The planning project is led by Althouse and Meade in close collaboration with several partners. LegacyWorks is leading community engagement to inform the design process. There are a number of other organizations involved in the design process including engineers, ecologists, planners. The specific project partners are: Union Pacific Railroad, Althouse and Meade, LegacyWorks, Sandbar Ecological Advising, HDR Engineering, KCI Engineering, and Integral Consulting. The organizations will work closely with several local, state, and federal agencies
How did this project come about?
This project originated from Union Pacific’s need to replace an existing bridge. However, because NFWF contributed funding to the effort, the project also presents an opportunity to go beyond a simple bridge replacement and allow for a design that helps the river and shoreline function in a more natural, sustainable way.
FAQ
How can I be involved in this project?
We are seeking community input on the bridge design. LegacyWorks will directly engage the Lompoc community and other relevant interested parties through surveys, focus groups and a design charette planned for July 2026.
Partners
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