We’ve published the video from the Caltrans public scoping meeting for the Albion River Bridge project. This meeting was held at the Albion School on April 14, 2015.
Year: 2015
April 30 Meeting: Participate in the Environmental Impact Review Process
What’s the next step in the proposed replacement or rehabilitation of the Albion River Bridge? A draft Environmental Impact Report (EIR), which Caltrans will be producing in the months to come.
One part of the EIR process involves the public—that’s all of us—having the opportunity to comment on how this proposed project might affect you or the community.
- Do you have a business that would be affected by lengthy traffic delays, construction noise, and other disruptions?
- Do you have a home in the Albion area that might be affected by delays in emergency response vehicles, such as fire trucks and ambulances?
- Do you use the Albion River for commercial or sport fishing or recreational activities, such as kayaking?
These are just a few of the issues that you have the opportunity to weigh in on—but only until May 7.
ACAB has prepared a detailed document that we will submit to Caltrans prior to the May 7 deadline. Download the PDF here. If you’re interested in signing your name to this document, please attend our next meeting.
If you’d like to write your own comments to Caltrans, you can do that, too. Send your comments to:
Caltrans
Attn: Adele Pommerenck
Office of Environmental Management
703 B Street
Marysville, CA 95901
You can also email comments to adele.pommerenck@dot.ca.gov.
But if you agree with the comments expressed in the official ACAB document, please attend the meeting and add your signature to the list!
April 14 Scoping Meeting
On Tuesday, April 14, from 6 to 8 pm, Caltrans will hold a scoping meeting at the Albion Elementary School (map).
At this meeting, Caltrans representatives will detail the current status of the planning process regarding the rehabilitation or replacement of the Albion River Bridge, as well as other aspects of the proposed construction project, which includes replacement of the Salmon Creek Bridge as well as widening and straightening of Highway 1 from Navarro Ridge Road to Albion Ridge Road.
This is a significant project, both in terms of cost and potential environmental and traffic impacts. Everyone is encouraged to attend and express their opinions and concerns regarding the project. Caltrans will be accepting written comments at this meeting.
For the Albion River Bridge project, Caltrans has prepared a “Notice of Preparation” document (NOP) that describes the project, its current alternatives, and potential environmental impacts. A PDF of the document is available.
Albion River Bridge in The New York Times
The Albion River Bridge made the front page of The New York Times‘ National news section with a detailed article by Times reporter Carol Pogash.
ALBION, Calif. — Sometimes, a bridge is more than a way to get from here to there.
In this ruggedly beautiful town overlooking the Pacific Ocean, residents want to save the Albion River Bridge because they say it defines them. But state officials say the bridge — the last wooden bridge on California’s coastal highway — is too narrow, is too expensive to maintain and would be too vulnerable in a major earthquake. They want to replace it with an arched concrete structure, but a vocal group of residents objects.
Albion Bridge Stewards 