Black Road Bridge Reopens After Six Month Closure

Arne Olson was the first to drive across Black Road Bridge.

Olson told KCOY/KEYT’s Cory James that he had just gotten off work and decided to check it out.

“They just pulled the things off and he goes ‘you are the first guy to cross this road,'” Olson said.

Olson called up his mom, Doris Olson, so that she can be second.

Doris Olson showed up minutes later and said, “This is a happy day, because this bridge is in and we don’t have to drive 20 miles to go to Orcutt.”

The barricades were moved just before 12:30 Wednesday afternoon.

Black Road Bridge closed back in May for construction to bring it up to current standards.

After some unsuitable material was found, the project was delayed for a few weeks.

Jessica Swanner said now that she’s able to drive across it again, she’s going to have a little extra change in her pocket .

“It’s really going to help save a lot of gas for a lot of parents that their kids go to Orcutt Academy,” Swanner said.

County workers spent the early part of the day doing some last-minute touch-ups, making sure the bridge is in perfect condition for commuters.

Brian McIntyre with Santa Barbara County Public Works Department said though it has been a long time coming, a lot of improvements were made to make the bridge more safe.

“We raised the bridge about a foot to improve visibility. We added the 5-foot shoulder for bicycle travel,” said McIntyre.