Eastvale Community Park was the scene of a major milestone on Monday, as community leaders and officials celebrated the completion of the Hamner Avenue Bridge and Widening Project with a ribbon-cutting ceremony. According to a report by RivCo, the event also served to dedicate the bridge in honor of former Norco Mayor Berwin Hanna, recognizing his contributions to the region's transportation development.
Starting in January 2021, construction of the new bridge—spanning 1,200 feet over the Santa Ana River—replaces a structure that has been standing for 85 years, linking Corona, Norco, Eastvale, and cities in San Bernardino County. Serving as an alternative route to the bustling Interstate 15, the bridge's facelift consists of a state-of-the-art seismic and hydraulic design, including a median and shoulders upgrade. Expected to increase, traffic will be accommodated through widening to support the surging population growth in Riverside County.
The modernized infrastructure features not only a new, wider span but also pedestrian-friendly enhancements. A 12-foot-wide multipurpose trail, set to open later in the summer, will run alongside the east side of the bridge. It offers a safer passage for equestrians, walkers, and cyclists, linking them to the broader regional Santa Ana River Trail. Funding for the $71 million project was pooled from federal, state, and local sources.
During the ceremony, dignitaries like Riverside County Second District Supervisor Karen Spiegel and Congressman Ken Calvert expressed their views on the bridge's significance. Spiegel emphasized the importance of the bridge for local communities by saying, "This bridge is a critical link for our communities here in Riverside County and beyond," a sentiment shared amongst her fellow speakers. The day also cast a spotlight on the bridge's historical namesake, John Thomas (JT) Hamner, and his successor in spirit, Berwin Hanna, both noted for their equine affinities and transport advocacy, ensuring their legacies remain interconnected with the region's infrastructure narrative.
Further commemorating Hanna's influence and civic dedication, the Norco City Council approved naming the bridge after the former mayor, with Mayor Kevin Bash stating, "May this bridge forever stand as a testament to Mayor Hanna's enduring legacy," encapsulating the sentiment of the community. Hanna is known both for his iconic cowboy hat and his unyielding efforts to champion the needed construction and funding of the new bridge since joining the City Council in 2007.
