BARSTOW – Skanska, a construction company based in Sweden, announced November 12, that it completed the replacement of North First Avenue Bridge in Barstow.

The San Bernardino County Transportation Authority awarded the $30.7 million project to Skanska to modernize the historic two-lane bridge, built around 1930, with concrete.

The new bridge has a wider sidewalk on one side for a pedestrian walkway, eight-foot shoulders for bicyclists, and a lookout point for individuals to view the railroad. 

Its funding came from various sources, including the Federal Highway Bridge Program, state funds, Measure I funds, and the City of Barstow. 

Skanska says construction on the project began in January of 2023. The team achieved substantial completion in October of 2024.

First major infrastructure change amid BNSF development

The city recently held a ribbon cutting ceremony to mark the opening of the bridge.

“The City of Barstow is thrilled to reach this moment of the new, modern bridge’s completion,” said Barstow Interim City Manager Andrew Espinoza, Jr. 

He goes on to say that the bridge replacement is the first major infrastructure change as the city is in the midst of a large transformation due to the BNSF development. 

BNSF Railway plans to invest more than $1.5 billion to construct a master-planned rail facility in Barstow. 

The Barstow International Gateway (BIG) will be an approximately 4,500-acre new integrated rail facility on the west side of Barstow.

The facility will consist of a rail yard, intermodal facility and warehouses for transloading freight from international containers to domestic containers.

The facility will create 20,000 direct and indirect jobs for Barstow and other High Desert communities. 

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