Press Coverage

Caltran’s DEIS/DEIR Meeting: Lots of Questions, Few Answers

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Along with more than 100 other concerned members of the public, we attended Caltrans’ standing-room-only meeting concerning the draft environmental impact statement and draft environmental impact report (DEIS/DEIR).

Our bridge banner greeted attendees of the Caltrans meeting.

In our previous post, we outlined just some of our concerns with the proposed Albion River Bridge replacement project (starting with the fact that this proposed project used to include the word rehabilitation). Caltrans’ meeting only added to our concerns—attendees asked many questions that were met with answers like “we don’t know yet” or “that depends” or “that will be determined later.”

It’s hard to comment with specifics on plans that are vague.

Despite many still-raised hands, Caltrans ended the meeting promptly at 7:30 pm. When we suggested the meeting be extended, the meeting facilitator refused, noting simply that ”we’re hearing your feedback.” Implied in that response: “But we’re ignoring it.”

Here’s a short news report on the meeting that ran on KZYX, Mendocino County Public Broadcasting.

Here’s the recording of the meeting itself.

What’s Next: August 27 Community Commenting Meeting

On August 27, we will host a community commenting meeting aimed at enabling anyone concerned about Caltrans’ plans to provide public comment, which is due to the agency by September 9.

We’ll share more information about this important meeting this week.

In the news: lawsuit over Albion River Bridge “Geotechnical investigation” development

jimheid Albion River Bridge, Caltrans, Coastal Commission, Press Coverage

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The Santa Rosa Press Democrat ran a front-page article about the lawsuit that has been filed to stop the geotechnical investigation development that Caltrans is planning at the historic Albion River Bridge. An excerpt is below. Here’s the entire article.

Lawsuit filed in bridge dispute

Defenders of the historic Albion River Bridge are looking to a San Francisco judge to block upcoming Caltrans operations that they argue threaten the local environment and the centerpiece of their coastal village.

Drilling and geotechnical studies recently were authorized by the California Coastal Commission despite an outcry from the tiny hamlet’s residents, many who fear the work will interrupt bridge travel and inevitably lead to the replacement of the picturesque span at the river mouth.

Residents also object to the disruptive equipment, scheduled grading and removal of eucalyptus groves that will allow for placement of drilling platforms on the bluffs at either end of the bridge, in part through the use of helicopters.

A 20-page lawsuit was lodged by Peter Wells and Flurry Healy, co-owners of the Albion River Inn, and a Los Angeles investment banker, John Danhakl, who owns a large horse ranch just outside town called Whitesboro Farm. The suit, filed the day the Coastal Commission cast its support for Caltrans’ studies, challenges the commission’s jurisdiction over the issue and asserts the project violates coastal protections. It also argues the work would cause lasting damage to the scenic landscape and, thus, the local tourist economy.

Opponents distrust Caltrans’ motives, believing the agency already has decided to replace the well-known structure and will use the upcoming work to lay the groundwork.

Albion River Bridge in The New York Times

jimheid Albion River Bridge, Press Coverage

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.

Aging Bridge in California Needs All the Support It Can Get

By CAROL POGASH, MARCH 20, 2015

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.

Read the entire article.