The City of Merced has a Federal, State, and locally funded project to replace/widen the bridges over Black Rascal Creek (Highway 59 Black Rascal Bridge) and widen State Highway 59 (Highway 59 Phase 1 – 16th Street to Olive Avenue) • State Highway 59 Widening (Highway 59 Phase 1 – 16th Street to Olive Avenue) – The Project consists of widening the existing 2-lane street to a 4-lane street from 16th street approximately 600 feet south of Buena Vista Drive. The project will also address the crossing at BNSF Railroad, adding sidewalks, streetlights, Class 2 bike lanes, center medians, drainage, drainage basin and landscaping. The project will also relocate portions of the Rascal/Micheal O’Sullivan Bike Path. The relocation of the bike path was vetted through the environmental process and recommended by the public to allow for the widening of the roadway and provide a safer path for pedestrians and bicyclist. • State Highway 59 Black Rascal Bridge – The Project includes replacing the Black Rascal Creek Bridge and the South Fork Black Rascal Creek Bridge, currently two separate 2-lane bridges, with a new 4-lane bridge over Black Rascal Creek located approximately 500 feet north of Olive Avenue. The project will also include adding sidewalks, streetlights, Class 2 bike lanes, center medians, drainage, drainage basin and landscaping. The City is seeking a firm with experience in negotiating, relocation of businesses and private residents, and appraisals. The properties that will be impacted with this project include: a liquor store, car wash, dry cleaners, mini-storage, apartment complex, vacant lots, and residential access.
