If you drive on Hwy. 1 through the coastal town of Albion in the next few weeks there's a chance you'll encounter a delay at the Albion bridge. CalTrans is using helicopters to place a drill rig on the steep bluffs just west of the bridge. They may drill up to nine boreholes as deep as 125 ft to determine the integrity of the geology. Its all part of a geotechnical study to determine whether the Albion and nearby Salmon Creek bridges need rehabilitation, or replacement.
Many local residents oppose the project. They've formed The Albion Bridge Stewards, an advocacy group fighting the removal of the seventy-four year old bridge, which is the last wooden trestle bridge on hwy 1 in California. They believe CalTrans is not really considering the option of rehabilitation. The bridge Stewards are also unhappy about an interagency agreement between CalTrans and the California Coastal Comission, the organization responsible for approving projects and issuing permits in the coastal zone. In 2015 CalTrans entered into an agreement with The Coastal Commission to pay up to 6.6 million dollars over a six year period to get the time and resources of coastal staff to help Caltrans with coastal projects. The Stewards feel this is a conflict of interest that could influence the coastal commission on CalTrans behalf. CalTrans maintains that these agreements are standard and necessary to fulfill their mission of maintaining state infrastructure.
The geotechnical study requires the removal of up to ninety trees and grading of the bluffs adjacent to the bridge. The CalTrans permit requires that sensitive native vegetation be flagged to keep workers away, and that physical barriers are placed at the down slope of the project to protect sensitive habitat from harmful materials. The survey is scheduled to be complete by January 31st. but work on the bridge is set to continue through 2019. In October CalTrans will repair timbers and replace 1,100 bolts on the bridge. They will also study internal pieces of the bridge. This information could help them decide whether or not to pursue rehabilitation.
The final decision about the future of the bridge is expected in 2020. the Albion Bridge Stewards will undoubtedly continue watching every step along the way, and will do everything they can to protect their beloved bridge.
