'IT'S ALMOST DONE'; WILEY CANYON BRIDGE TO EASE TRAFFIC.

Byline: Patricia Farrell Aidem Staff Writer

SANTA CLARITA - The $5.5 million Wiley Canyon-Via Princess bridge is scheduled to open in March - a few months behind schedule - but in time to lessen the blow of a major road construction project.

``It's almost done,'' said Roubik Mardirosian, an associate engineer with the city of Santa Clarita. ``The bridge is 95 percent complete.

Not yet complete are the approaches to the bridge - Wiley Canyon Road from the west, Via Princess from the east. The bridge will carry traffic from the Circle J Ranch area and over the South Fork River to the Golden State (5) Freeway via Wiley and Lyons Avenue.

``It's definitely going to help circulation in the city,'' Mardirosian said.

The city is awaiting permits from Los Angeles County to construct a storm drain on the Wiley Canyon side, he said.

The bridge will open before reconstruction of the Valencia Boulevard bridge over the I-5, a project that will close freeway onramps for several months. That work undoubtedly will strain commuter traffic on alternate routes to the freeway - Magic Mountain Parkway, McBean Parkway and Lyons.

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2 photos

Photo: (1 -- 2 -- color) Construction workers are putting the finishing touches on the Wiley Canyon Bridge. The bridge is expected to open in March.

Tom Mendoza/Staff Photographer