Caltrans officials have agreed to redesign repairs to San Antonio Creek Bridge in Ojai so traffic won't be diverted into neighborhoods.

The replacement and widening project on the Highway 150 bridge will be constructed in two phases so a single lane of the highway will remain open throughout construction.

"It's nice to see Caltrans is responsive to our concerns," Ojai City Manager Jere Kersnar said.

Caltrans had proposed detouring traffic off the highway using Gridley Road, Grand Avenue and Gorham Road, angering many residents along those roads who protested to city leaders about the increased traffic.

The debate came to a head last month when city leaders, convinced Caltrans could do the work without the detour, sent a letter to the state agency saying it didn't have city permission to use those city streets.

In a response letter that arrived last week, Caltrans agreed to cancel a bid opening scheduled for this month and redesign the project.

"We have been working closely and cooperatively with the city to work out a solution," Caltrans spokeswoman Jeanne Bonfilio said.

A new construction schedule, however, has not yet been determined. A phased project, to cost around $5 million, could take up to two years, officials said. The original plan was to take six months.

"I'm glad they are going to fix it, but now we are looking at two years of construction time, which is disheartening," said Patricia Hartmann, whose property abuts the bridge on both sides. She and her husband predict drivers will use the detour route anyway once construction begins and the highway is limited to one lane.

An estimated 5,000 to 10,000 vehicles cross each day over the 90-year-old bridge.

Caltrans officials say the concrete is fatigued, and the narrow bridge presents a safety issue for cyclists and pedestrians.

Parts of the bridge have fallen off, and heavy winter storms in January 2005 exposed several support legs. Some fear it could give out during a major flood.

The Hartmanns have watched a quarter-acre of their property wash away during past storms when rocks and debris backed up under the bridge, forcing water onto their land.

Others, however, argued at city meetings that the bridge is just fine. They said transportation officials should leave it alone and fix other, more congested roads in the Ojai Valley.

Ojai Mayor Sue Horgan said the aging bridge needs to be replaced but does not believe it will take two years to fix. "That's not acceptable," she said.

Councilman Joe De Vito agreed the width is substandard and unsafe for pedestrians. He has heard of many close calls when opposing vehicles try to cross at the same time.

"Not everyone is going to be happy," he said of the outcome. "But Caltrans has the money to do this, and I am glad to see the project didn't drop off its to-do list."