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

[DTComposer]

https://www.sfgate.com/northcoast/article/albion-river-bridge-highway-1-20798699.php

Built in 1944, it is the last timber truss superstructure owned by the state of California still carrying highway traffic — a historic landmark that locals consider part of their identity. Picture a bridge high above the Albion River that looks like something out of a black-and-white Western: less like modern highway infrastructure, more like the skeletal framework of an old railroad trestle. Weathered wooden beams crisscross in triangles, forming a lattice that holds the roadway high above the water. That's what the Albion River Bridge looks like.

But the state says its days are numbered. Caltrans asserts the bridge is in disrepair and potentially dangerous, and after 10 years of public process, it has officially unveiled designs for a modern replacement: seismically sound, easier to maintain, built to standard specifications but utterly lacking in any design poetry or marvel.

[Max Rockatansky]

Lame on all levels.

[cahwyguy]

The solution to this problem is simple: Spend about another 50+ million and make the new bridge architecturally unique and a signature piece. Worked in Long Beach and for the Bay Bridge. The community gets their signature piece to draw tourists, and the state gets an architecturally sound bridge.

We've got the extra cash, right?

[Max Rockatansky]

The arch spandrel bridge sketch isn't terrible, but nobody is going to ever stop and take photos of something like that.  Just my take but another cable stay span would be super cliche.  It would be weird seeing one on the smaller size though.

[cahwyguy]

The arch spandrel bridge sketch isn't terrible, but nobody is going to ever stop and take photos of something like that.  Just my take but another cable stay span would be super cliche.  It would be weird seeing one on the smaller size though.

Well, they do take pictures of Cold Springs Tavern, and that bridge on I-15 (Bonsall, IIRC)? Those are arch bridges. Aren't some of the picturesque Route 1 bridges in Big Sur arch bridges as well?

But they could also build something out of modern materials that would look like a truss bridge, or come up with some other interesting design.

[pderocco]

Well, since they certainly won't demolish the old bridge and then start building a new one, they could build a simple new bridge next to the old one, with no ped or bike lanes, and then leave the old one up for those users.

[Max Rockatansky]

Well, since they certainly won't demolish the old bridge and then start building a new one, they could build a simple new bridge next to the old one, with no ped or bike lanes, and then leave the old one up for those users.

Caltrans "could" but seems intent on not doing that.  Granted that would certainly resolve much of the backlash. 

Seems like retaining older spans as pedestrian structures is mostly just a local agency thing now.  El Dorado County comes to mind with factoring in retaining the wooden/suspension Mosquito Bridge for pedestrian use.

[Max Rockatansky]

The arch spandrel bridge sketch isn't terrible, but nobody is going to ever stop and take photos of something like that.  Just my take but another cable stay span would be super cliche.  It would be weird seeing one on the smaller size though.

Well, they do take pictures of Cold Springs Tavern, and that bridge on I-15 (Bonsall, IIRC)? Those are arch bridges. Aren't some of the picturesque Route 1 bridges in Big Sur arch bridges as well?  The chucky/bloated look is common issue in modern bridge designs which try to emulate older era aesthetic.

But they could also build something out of modern materials that would look like a truss bridge, or come up with some other interesting design.

Put it this way, what is in the sketch hardly is exciting compared to most vintage arch concrete spandrels.  The sketch looks chunky instead of graceful or industrial.  Most modern designs come off as looking bloated whenever they try to riff an older design aesthetic.

[Max Rockatansky]

The fog wasn't much help with photos in 2021, but I have the current Albion River Bridge in my Shoreline Highway album for Mendocino County.  I really wish that I had taken photos of the substructure back in 2008:

IMG_5203 by Max Rockatansky, on Flickr

[pderocco]

Well, since they certainly won't demolish the old bridge and then start building a new one, they could build a simple new bridge next to the old one, with no ped or bike lanes, and then leave the old one up for those users.

Caltrans "could" but seems intent on not doing that.  Granted that would certainly resolve much of the backlash. 

Seems like retaining older spans as pedestrian structures is mostly just a local agency thing now.  El Dorado County comes to mind with factoring in retaining the wooden/suspension Mosquito Bridge for pedestrian use.

Or the Navajo Bridge.

[Max Rockatansky]

True, I was just trying to think of another timber highway bridge.

[Voyager]

True, I was just trying to think of another timber highway bridge.

The Pudding Creek Bridge in Fort Bragg was repurposed for a walkway. It wasn't ever a highway bridge, but the idea is still the same.

[Max Rockatansky]

True, I was just trying to think of another timber highway bridge.

The Pudding Creek Bridge in Fort Bragg was repurposed for a walkway. It wasn't ever a highway bridge, but the idea is still the same.

Watched a sunset with my wife at that bridge:

https://flic.kr/p/2ktMoLE

https://flic.kr/p/2ktMqoC

[Quillz]

I'll be totally honest: I've crossed this bridge many times en route to the Redwood Curtain, and have never once really paid attention to it. I didn't even realize it was considered a minor tourist thing.

If it's unsafe and outdated, fine. That's what is most important in the long run.

[pderocco]

I'll be totally honest: I've crossed this bridge many times en route to the Redwood Curtain, and have never once really paid attention to it. I didn't even realize it was considered a minor tourist thing.

If it's unsafe and outdated, fine. That's what is most important in the long run.

It's one of those bridges that looks really great when you're not on it, but is a snooze when you are. The O'Callaghan/Tillman Bridge is a huge example of that. At least the Bixby Bridge is curved, so you can glimpse the arch from the road.

I'll have to remember to go into that RV campground to snap a few pix next time I go through there.

[Max Rockatansky]

I'll be totally honest: I've crossed this bridge many times en route to the Redwood Curtain, and have never once really paid attention to it. I didn't even realize it was considered a minor tourist thing.

If it's unsafe and outdated, fine. That's what is most important in the long run.

Is it?  Might want to check into the list of bridges Caltrans considers substandard and by proxy unsafe.  There has been a lot of really interesting and unique spans lost in the name of "safety."

[Quillz]

I'll be totally honest: I've crossed this bridge many times en route to the Redwood Curtain, and have never once really paid attention to it. I didn't even realize it was considered a minor tourist thing.

If it's unsafe and outdated, fine. That's what is most important in the long run.

Is it?  Might want to check into the list of bridges Caltrans considers substandard and by proxy unsafe.  There has been a lot of really interesting and unique spans lost in the name of "safety."

I'm not a bridge expert. If they consider it unsafe and/or deficient, replace it. If it's been studied for a decade and been deemed unsafe, so be it. Granted, if this one of those things that is open to public comment, there should be one. Let others offer their opinions and viewpoints, maybe others will have evidence that it's not insufficient.

[Max Rockatansky]

I'll be totally honest: I've crossed this bridge many times en route to the Redwood Curtain, and have never once really paid attention to it. I didn't even realize it was considered a minor tourist thing.

If it's unsafe and outdated, fine. That's what is most important in the long run.

Is it?  Might want to check into the list of bridges Caltrans considers substandard and by proxy unsafe.  There has been a lot of really interesting and unique spans lost in the name of "safety."

I'm not a bridge expert. If they consider it unsafe and/or deficient, replace it. If it's been studied for a decade and been deemed unsafe, so be it. Granted, if this one of those things that is open to public comment, there should be one. Let others offer their opinions and viewpoints, maybe others will have evidence that it's not insufficient.

I'm not per se against "replacement."  Trouble is the modern Caltrans assessments are often based off of whether or not a bridge complies with modern design standards.  That seems to be mostly the case with this structure based off assessments I've read:

https://data.thecalifornian.com/bridge/california/mendocino/state-route-1-over-albion-river/06-10%200136/

Probably the largest safety item at hand is seismic stability.  There are several other items found to be in poor or tolerable conditions.  I'm off the opinion the unique design here is worthy of preservation of some kind.  If Caltrans was proposing building a new span and keeping leaving the current one in place for pedestrian use, I wouldn't be quite as salty.

[Quillz]

Well, we'll see what comes of this. Maybe that will be a compromise made in the future. These things always take time and never happen as smoothly as any side would hope. I am surprised, though, that there doesn't appear to be an attempt to make something with modern design standards and then just put a facade on it to replicate the old look. (Although I guess that is also easier said than done).

[jlam]

Dang it, that sucks. I had the chance to drive over it last June, but I decided to give it up to go the the bustling metropolis of Ukiah.

[Quillz]

Dang it, that sucks. I had the chance to drive over it last June, but I decided to give it up to go the the bustling metropolis of Ukiah.

I really don't think you missed all that much. That part of CA-1 in general is nice a couple times, then afterward becomes a big slog because there just isn't much to stop at beyond Ft. Bragg. So often you'll have to drive over 100 miles before you get a realistic sense to take a break. And last year, I did it during heavy fog and I had to go slow and honestly it really soured me on the drive now that I've done it a few times.

A nice in-between would be CA-116 to CA-1 to CA-20. Gives you a good portion of that route while cutting off a lot of the more inland and windy portions.

[Max Rockatansky]

The segment north of Fort Bragg is the best part (IMO).  Nothing but curves, Redwoods and ghost towns like Rockport.

[Quillz]

The segment north of Fort Bragg is the best part (IMO).  Nothing but curves, Redwoods and ghost towns like Rockport.

I do like that part myself as it's a nice "intro" into the Redwood Curtain. But it's pretty slow and windy and I've found myself skipping it recently. Certainly worth doing if it's your first visit to the area, though.