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Town of Apple Valley to Begin Major Bear Valley Road Bridge Rehabilitation

Town of Apple Valley to Begin Major Bear Valley Road Bridge Improvement

Apple Valley, CA – June 18, 2025 – Work on the Bear Valley Road Bridge over the Mojave River. This project will make the bridge safer and easier to use.

The improvements include:

-Wider shoulders
-Bike lanes
-Sidewalks
-A protected path for pedestrians
-Better lighting
-Earthquake safety upgrades

The bridge was built in 1963 and widened in 1988. In 2014, a report said the bridge was old and not up to current standards. It doesn’t meet the rules for size and strength. This is set by the American Association of State Highway and Transportation Officials (A.A.S.H.T.O.). It also doesn’t fit with the Town’s plan for transit and walking paths.

 

“This project has been years in the making, and we’re proud to move forward with a design that puts public safety and regional connectivity at the forefront,” said Mayor Scott Nassif. “It’s not just a bridge; it’s a link to options, access, and a safer future for our residents.”

 

The project got clearances from the National Environmental Policy Act and the California Environmental Quality Act between 2016 and 2020. The Right-of-Way was certified in August 2024. Caltrans gave construction approval in May 2025.

This project is funded by federal, state, regional, and local sources. It shows how dedicated our partners are to improving structures. They are committed to keeping the High Desert connected and safe for years to come.

Construction will start in December 2025 and finish by April 2028. The old 1963 bridge will be removed. The 1988 bridge will be widened to meet safety and design standards.

During the project, traffic will move to the south side with two lanes open each way. Once the north side is done, traffic will switch to the north while the south side is worked on. More traffic details will be shared as the project goes on.

The project will add better lighting, crash cushions, and utility covers. This will create a link between Apple Valley, Victorville, Hesperia, and San Bernardino County.

The bridge will connect smoothly at Mojave Fish Hatchery Road on the west and Jess Ranch Parkway on the east. It will provide access to places like Victor Valley College, the Riverwalk in Apple Valley and Victorville, Mojave Narrows Regional Park, and nearby job and medical centers.

This project is a key investment in the Town’s transit network. It supports walking, access to places, and a safer path for economic growth.

APPLE VALLEY, Calif. – August 24, 2026 – The California Supreme Court today issued its opinion in the Town of Apple Valley’s water acquisition case, resolving a statewide legal question concerning the standard courts must apply when a public entity seeks to acquire a privately owned utility through eminent domain.

The Supreme Court held that a trial court must exercise its independent judgment and determine whether the utility has proven, by a preponderance of the evidence, that the statutory requirements for the acquisition have not been met. The Court rejected the more deferential standard previously adopted by the Court of Appeal.

The Supreme Court did not, however, finally resolve the Town’s appeal or determine whether the trial court’s judgment should ultimately stand. Instead, it returned the case to the Court of Appeal to reconsider the remaining issues raised by the Town.

The Court of Appeal must now decide whether the other issues it previously identified with the trial court’s ruling, including the trial court’s reliance on events that occurred after the Town adopted its Resolutions of Necessity, are serious enough to overturn the ruling despite the Supreme Court’s decision on the legal standard.

“We are disappointed that the Supreme Court rejected the legal standard adopted by the Court of Appeal,” said Mayor Scott Nassif. “But today’s opinion does not end the case. The Court of Appeal must still consider the remaining errors identified in the trial court proceedings, and the Town will continue to protect the interests of Apple Valley residents throughout that process.”

The Supreme Court’s opinion also does not authorize or prohibit the Town’s proposed acquisition of the water system. Further proceedings before the Court of Appeal will determine the next stage of the case.

The Town and its legal team are reviewing the opinion and will evaluate the appropriate next steps.

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Town of Apple Valley to Begin Major Bear Valley Road Bridge Rehabilitation uploaded on 3.26.26

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Press ReleasesTown of Apple Valley to Begin Major Bear Valley Road Bridge Rehabilitation