Heavy equipment and big steel are part of a new bridge project on Valencia Road in Aptos. Workers are pouring concrete foundations and starting work on the structure that will support the bridge on the road. The road was closed in January after heavy rains weakened it. That forced the closure of Valencia Elementary School, and the students were relocated to four schools throughout Pajaro Valley Unified School District. The critical piece of the puzzle – a truss bridge that will allow students to return – is expected to be completed in time for school to start. “The final construction will wrap up by the end of year, but we’ll have traffic moving before school starts, which is what people are concerned about,” Santa Cruz County spokesman Jason Hoppin said.
