Work has officially started on improvements to the Bear Valley Road Bridge over the Mojave River, bringing long-planned upgrades to a major route connecting Apple Valley, Hesperia, and Victorville. The multi-year project is expected to continue through April 2028.

Motorists will notice immediate traffic adjustments as crews add temporary striping and install safety barriers, reducing travel to two lanes in each direction. This setup will remain in place for much of the construction period, with the majority of work scheduled overnight to help reduce daytime congestion.

Planned upgrades will modernize the bridge and improve safety for all users while maintaining six lanes of traffic. Enhancements include wider lanes, designated shoulders, a protected bike path, sidewalks, improved lighting, and structural reinforcements designed to meet current engineering standards.

The project is supported by a mix of federal, state, regional, and local funding and is intended to provide a safer, more reliable travel route for the High Desert communities that depend on this key corridor.