Albion River Bridge on CA-1 gets a ‘death sentence’

[cahwyguy]

I'm working on the highway pages today, and going through the CTC minutes. The following is from the agenda item that provides "future consideration of funding" for the bridge replacement, which will be discussed in the October meeting that is happening tomorrow (Thu 10/16) and Friday. Here is the full agenda item background related to this: https://catc.ca.gov/-/media/ctc-media/documents/ctc-meetings/2025/2025-10/71-2-2c3-a11y.pdf

Aesthetics

Adverse Environmental Effects:

The Albion River Bridge is considered a scenic resource in view from the surrounding areas, which would be significantly affected by its removal.

Findings:

Changes or alterations have been required in, or incorporated into, the project, which avoid or substantially lessen the significant environmental effect as identified in the Final EIR.

Statement of Facts:

The project would significantly affect aesthetics due to removal of the Albion River Bridge. All project build alternatives identified in the EIR would replace the bridge, and the no-build alternative would not meet the purpose and need of the project; there were no feasible alternatives to avoid aesthetic impacts. The arch design of the preferred alternative (Design Option 2B) provides architectural interest, forms a gateway between Albion Cove and Albion Flat, and fits into the natural setting by mimicking the curve of adjacent hills. However, the new bridge would not replace the aesthetic qualities of the existing bridge, even with the inclusion of mitigation measures AMM-AR-1 through AMM-AR-6 (described below). Therefore, though mitigation measures have been incorporated, impacts to aesthetics would remain significant and unavoidable. See the Statement of Overriding Considerations prepared for the project for the specific overriding economic, legal, social, technological, and other benefits of the project that outweigh this significant and unavoidable impact.

•    AMM-AR-1: The potential for glare would be avoided or minimized through the selection of materials and finishes used for bridge construction.

•    AMM-AR-2: Aesthetic treatment, such as color and pedestrian railing design, would be applied to the bridge railing to increase its visual compatibility.

•    AMM-AR-3: Bridge structures, such as retaining walls and wing walls, would be aesthetically treated with color, texture, and/or patterns to increase the project's visual compatibility with the surrounding environment.

•    AMM-AR-4: All disturbed soil areas that were previously vegetated, including temporary access roads, construction easements, and staging areas, would be restored to a natural contour. Disturbed slopes 2:1 and flatter would be planted and seeded with regionally appropriate California native species plants. Steeper disturbed slopes would be seeded with regionally appropriate California native species plants. No native plantings at their mature height may block existing views.

•    AMM-AR-5: Albion Campground facilities, such as, but not limited to, grass, gravel, and hookups, would be restored or replaced to their original condition if disturbed by construction activities.

•    AMM-AR-6: Caltrans would work with community members to offset the project's effects on scenic views, through the incorporation of community input into the identification and design of landscape amenities to enhance views and provide opportunities for passive recreation.

Cultural Resources: Albion River Bridge

Adverse Environmental Effects:

The Albion River Bridge, which is listed in the National Register of Historic Places and the California Register of Historic Resources, would be removed by the project, which results in a Finding of Adverse Effect under 36 Code of Federal Regulations Section 800.5(a)(1) and represents a significant impact.

Findings:

Changes or alterations have been required in, or incorporated into, the project, which avoid or substantially lessen the significant environmental effect as identified in the Final EIR.

Statement of Facts:

The project would have a significant impact on the Albion River Bridge due to its removal. All project build alternatives identified in the EIR would replace the bridge, and the no-build alternative would not meet the purpose and need of the project; therefore, there were no feasible alternatives that would avoid effects to the bridge. AMM-CR-3 (described below) would be implemented to address the adverse effects to the bridge. However, even with implementation of mitigation, the effects would remain significant and unavoidable. See the Statement of Overriding Considerations prepared for the project for the specific overriding economic, legal, social, technological, and other benefits of the project that outweigh this significant and unavoidable impact.

•    AMM-CR-3: To address adverse effects to the historic bridge, Caltrans would initiate historic bridge recordation using Level I or II Historic American Engineering Record (HAER) documentation, with copies held at local historical repositories and made available to the public. The HAER documentation would follow National Park Service guidelines for formal archival documentation, which consists of measured and interpretive drawings, historical reports, and large- format photographs.
Additional treatment measure to address adverse effects include:

1.  An interpretive exhibit near or on the new bridge. The exhibit would include interpretive panels and one model to scale of the Albion River Bridge. The interpretive panels would focus on the history of the Albion River Bridge.

2.  A short documentary film that would document the evolution and construction of the Albion River Bridge and the greater Albion community. The film would be available for viewing on a Caltrans supported website and be made available for educational and interpretive purposes by the public.

3.  A model to scale of the existing Albion River Bridge would be developed; the three-dimensional model shall be used to develop the physical model to the scale of the Albion River Bridge that will be included with the interpretive panels as part of the exhibit. Additionally, the digital model shall be provided to the public on a Caltrans supported website.

Following public input and consultation with State Historic Preservation Officer (SHPO) and consulting parties, treatment measures were finalized and documented in the Cultural Resource Management Plan (CRMP).

[Quillz]

[ snip ]

So forgive my ignorance, but as someone who doesn't speak legalese, are they saying the replacement bridge will look like the old one? Because if so, that's what I would have expected from the get go. I believe they did the same thing when replacing some Big Sur bridges.

[Max Rockatansky]

[ snip ]

So forgive my ignorance, but as someone who doesn't speak legalese, are they saying the replacement bridge will look like the old one? Because if so, that's what I would have expected from the get go. I believe they did the same thing when replacing some Big Sur bridges.

Most of the arch concrete bridges in Big Sur only had railing replacements (or they were proposed).  The less notable spans got the same boring modern designs you see elsewhere (Pfeiffer Canyon comes to mind).

[Quillz]

Eh, I'll take boring as long as it's safe. The bridges are nice but they aren't the main reason I visit Big Sur (when it's open).

[Max Rockatansky]

Can't say I feel the same (bridge aesthetic and safety).  Those arch concrete bridges are part of the attraction.  Then again, there is a lot of otherwise mundane roads I've been down in search of antiquated bridges.  Safety never has been much of a factor for me in terms of what I drive on.

[cahwyguy]

[ snip ]

So forgive my ignorance, but as someone who doesn't speak legalese, are they saying the replacement bridge will look like the old one? Because if so, that's what I would have expected from the get go. I believe they did the same thing when replacing some Big Sur bridges.

From what I've read, I don't think so. Because, if they made it look the same, then it wouldn't have adverse historic effects. Note the line: "The arch design of the preferred alternative (Design Option 2B) provides architectural interest, forms a gateway between Albion Cove and Albion Flat, and fits into the natural setting by mimicking the curve of adjacent hills. However, the new bridge would not replace the aesthetic qualities of the existing bridge, even with the inclusion of mitigation measures AMM-AR-1 through AMM-AR-6 (described below)."

[Quillz]

Can't say I feel the same (bridge aesthetic and safety).  Those arch concrete bridges are part of the attraction.  Then again, there is a lot of otherwise mundane roads I've been down in search of antiquated bridges.  Safety never has been much of a factor for me in terms of what I drive on.

And that's probably where you and Caltrans will differ. Especially in areas like that which are prone to mudslides and landslides. I've been trapped in that area before overnight and it's not fun.

[Max Rockatansky]

Can't say I feel the same (bridge aesthetic and safety).  Those arch concrete bridges are part of the attraction.  Then again, there is a lot of otherwise mundane roads I've been down in search of antiquated bridges.  Safety never has been much of a factor for me in terms of what I drive on.

And that's probably where you and Caltrans will differ. Especially in areas like that which are prone to mudslides and landslides. I've been trapped in that area before overnight and it's not fun.

I haven't been trapped by a mudslide (yet) but I've been snowbound and flood stranded plenty of times.  Those events are so rare that I usually don't worry about them.