City Secures $2.4M Settlement With Republic Services For New Bridge

BENICIA, CA— The city of Benicia announced a $2.4 million settlement agreement with Republic Services to replace the pedestrian bridge over Military West Street near Mary Farmar Elementary School.

In 2023, a Republic Services truck accidentally struck the bridge. It was rendered unusable and underwent emergency demolition. Republic Services immediately partnered with the city to pay for crossing guards and emergency traffic measures— to date, contributing $123,000 to the city.

Under a settlement agreement approved by the Benicia City Council in closed session Tuesday, Republic Services will pay an additional $2.4 million, bringing the total payment to the city to $2.5 million to fund the bridge replacement.

A contract for a prefabricated bridge was secured by the city earlier this year, with fabrication set to begin in early 2025. Design work is scheduled for completion by March, and construction is expected to start by July. The replacement bridge is projected to be finished by late 2025.

"We know how essential this bridge is to the safety of our community and the students who use it every day to cross the street to go to school," City Manager Mario Giuliani said. "These funds will ensure this bridge will be built next year, once again providing our community and children a safe pedestrian crossing."

The city manager said it was a costly, complex project.

"A significant amount of design and engineering work needed to occur before we could accurately project the costs," he said. "I very much appreciate the commitment of Republic Services to take the necessary measures to replace the bridge for our students and the strength of the Mary Farmar community to persevere through these many months of design and negotiation."