Bridge Repair: Imperial County Sets 30-Day Deadline

Drivers in Yuma, Arizona, and Imperial County, California, are waiting for a repair plan for the Picacho Road Bridge. The bridge has been closed since March 2025, forcing commuters to take longer detours. Imperial County supervisors have now ordered a 30-day timeline for the fix after a dispute over a comment made by one of their members.

The issue began surfacing in April during a transportation meeting. Supervisor John Hawk described a prior gathering with tribal officials as 'brutal.' He told the board that the group felt like they were 'scalped' while about 75 people spoke. Video of that meeting recently surfaced, prompting immediate criticism from the Fort Yuma Quechan Indian Tribe.

Tribal leaders argued the comment relied on racial stereotypes. It also distracted from the urgent need to reopen the bridge, which serves as a primary link between the two regions. Since the closure, traffic has been rerouted to the Ocean-to-Ocean Bridge. Drivers there now contend with train delays and heavy congestion in Yuma.

Michael Jack, the Quechan Parks and Recreation director, confronted the county board on Tuesday. He said the original meeting was intended to build support for rebuilding the bridge. Jack described his reaction to Hawk's feelings taking precedence over community needs. He stated that the focus must remain on fixing the infrastructure.

Tribal member Cody Hartt highlighted the safety risks for local residents. He noted that children cross railroad tracks and use underpasses that lack maintenance. Richard Cordero, superintendent of the San Pasqual Valley Unified School District, raised concerns about emergency logistics. He questioned which route ambulances would take to reach Yuma Regional.

The tribal president sent a letter to the county on Wednesday. The document demanded a public apology, a 30-day repair timeline, and an emergency access plan. It also called for a government-to-government meeting between the tribe and the board. The letter emphasized that the dispute was about respect rather than politics.

Supervisor Hawk apologized to the tribe and community members in a statement to Arizona's Family. He identified repairing the Picacho Road Bridge as a top priority for the board. The Imperial County Board of Supervisors also issued a full apology. The board confirmed it will meet with the tribe on a government-to-government basis.