WOODLAND, CA (MPG) - Yolo County congratulates Assemblymember Cecilia Aguiar-Curry’s (D-Winters) relentless efforts in securing $2.2M in state funding to replace County Road (CR) 40 Low Water Bridge.  The funding was included Senate Bill 109, which was signed by Governor Newson last week, to provide funding for the project through CalFire local assistance grants.

The existing CR 40 Low Water Bridge is a critical fire access road into the rural reaches of Yolo, Lake and Napa counties. The bridge has deteriorated significantly since being built over 100 years ago and is unable to support the weight of fire-fighting apparatuses or other vehicles, hampering CalFire’s efforts to gain access to this fire-prone region.

 “Through the fierce and tireless advocacy of Assemblymember Aguiar-Curry, funding for the CR 40 Low Water Bridge has been secured,” said Yolo County Board of Supervisors Chair Don Saylor. “This project will greatly enhance fire safety in northern Yolo County and the region.”

“Replacing the CR 40 Low Water Bridge has been a longstanding priority for me as a measure of both fire protection and recreational use,” said Yolo County Supervisor to District 5 Duane Chamberlain. “I applaud Assemblymember Aguiar-Curry for this remarkable achievement.”

“Forcing emergency response personnel to take extra hours to respond to wildfires and other disasters in Yolo, Napa and Lake Counties is inexcusable,” said Assemblymember Cecilia Aguiar-Curry.  “Just like our efforts to respond to the wildfires of the past several years, this victory was a true partnership with my colleagues on the Yolo County Board of Supervisors and county staff, and the Yocha Dehe Wintun Nation.  I appreciate Assembly Budget Chair Phil Ting and Assembly Speaker Anthony Rendon’s efforts to fight for this critical project, and the Governor for supporting it with his signature.”

In 2017, Aguiar-Curry and Yolo County secured $800,000 in the state budget for design and engineering of the replacement bridge.  Bridge construction is slated to begin in 2020.