AQUEDUCT BRIDGES GETTING SAFER NEW GUARDRAILS.

Byline: Daily News

PALMDALE - Guardrails on three roads over the California Aqueduct are being retrofitted to current safety standards in a $1.1 million project.

Steel guardrails on bridges for Barrel Springs Road, Godde Hill Road and 70th Street West will be replaced by one-piece reinforced concrete barriers built into the bridge structure, Public Works Director Leon Swain said.

``It's all hooked together as part of the bridge deck,'' Swain said.

Besides being in one piece, the new guardrails have extensions to ward off vehicles that might run into the ends.

The work is being done under a $1.1 million contract - most of it financed by federal funds, officials said.

The work is expected to be completed by July.

The daytime construction period will be from 6:30 a.m. through 5:30 p.m. All traffic lanes will be open when work is not under way, city officials said.

Construction signs will be posted along the routes to remind motorists of impending roadwork. Motorists are advised to use alternate routes if all possible, city officials said.

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(color) Safer guardrails will replace old ones on three roads over the California Aqueduct. Work has begun on Barrel Springs Road.

Jeff Goldwater/Staff Photographer