The new bridge will offer pedestrians, bicyclists, ATV users, and equestrian traffic access to public lands

WOODLAND, CA (MPG) – On August 3rd at 10 a.m., Yolo County will be hosting a groundbreaking ceremony for the replacement of the County Road 40 Low Water Bridge. Constructed in 1930, the Low Water Bridge on CR 40 crossing Cache Creek is set to be replaced with a new three span, reinforced concrete slab bridge.

The nearly 100-year-old bridge was closed to vehicular traffic in 2008 following a Caltrans report that deemed the bridge to have a safe load capacity of zero tons. Structurally deficient, the bridge could not be used by CAL FIRE and other fire agencies to move heavy machinery into areas of the massive wildfire in 2015, causing significant delays that inhibited the efforts of the fire fighters. As a key access point for fire fighters crossing Cache Creek into the Capay Valley, the bridge is critical rural infrastructure and a public safety priority for what is a highly fire prone region. The replacement bridge has been designed to accommodate CAL FIRE’s 72-foot-long tractor and trailer vehicle used to transport fire-fighting equipment across Cache Creek and into the Capay Valley.

With the assistance of Assemblymember Cecilia Aguilar-Curry and Senator Bill Dodd, the project received an initial state appropriation of $800,000 for planning and preconstruction activities in FY2017-18 and a subsequent appropriation of $2,200,000 for construction in FY2019-20. The total cost of the project is estimated to be between $3.5 and $4 million with the remaining costs covered by the advance construction program of the Highway Bridge Program.

From the beginning of the project, Yolo County has collaborated with the Yocha Dehe Wintun Nation to advocate for funding and identify cultural resource areas along the riverbank. Yocha Dehe’s Cultural Resource team worked with County staff, its consultant team, and Caltrans to provide an improved location that maintains the current bridge and road alignments while avoiding culturally sensitive areas.

"The Low Water Bridge is a huge win for fire protection and for public access to recreation,” said Chair of the Yolo County Board of Supervisor Jim Provenza. “Special thanks to Senator Bill Dodd, Assemblywomen Cecilia Aguiar-Curry, Former Supervisor Duane Chamberlain, Supervisor Angel Barajas, the Yocha Dehe Wintun Nation, and county staff for their hard work on this project."

The new bridge will offer pedestrians, bicyclists, ATV users, and equestrian traffic access to public lands such. The bridge will also provide a clearance of at least 8-feet for recreational rafters during summer irrigation flows in Cache Creek.

During the construction of the bridge, all recreational access across Cache Creek at the County Road 40 location will be suspended. Access to the Blue Ridge, Fiske Creek, Frog Pond, and Rayhouse Road hiking trails will not be available until the replacement bridge has been completed.