Caltrans to replace culverts in road safety project

Caltrans is planning a project on the Avenue of the Giants that will remove barriers to fish passage, reduce potential sediment getting into the Eel River and South Fork Eel River, and prevent future road damage and road closures.

“The Humboldt 254 Culvert Rehabilitation Project proposes to replace approximately 45 deteriorating culverts,” said Caltrans District 1 Project Manager Grant Wilcox. The project will include various locations along State Route 254 from south of Phillipsville to south of Pepperwood.

Construction on this project is still several years down the road, with an estimated start time in 2027. An environmental document has been completed and was recently circulated for public comments.

There has not been much public comment on this project but what has been received has been favorable.

The project identifies rehabilitating existing drainage systems rated as being in poor or critical condition and in need of repair, and will include building two bridges on Chadd and Mowry Creeks, along with replacing existing culverts. Chadd Creek crosses under the Avenue of the Giants north of Redcrest, and Mowry Creek is located south of Humboldt Redwood State Park Headquarters at Burlington.

The culvert replacement work will include new culverts, new drainage inlets and armored culvert outlets.

Wilcox said when construction begins, he anticipates improvements being made with minimal traffic delays.

“We understand the importance of traffic flow in regard to the quality of life for residents and business owners along the Avenue of the Giants,” Wilcox said.

Once the project gets underway, lane closures will be required at several locations, with five-minute delays anticipated due to one-way traffic control. A full closure of State Route 254 is anticipated at Chadd Creek, for bridge construction. This closure will require motorists to use Highway 101 as a detour around the area.

According to the environmental document prepared for this project, the culvert replacement and bridge construction are estimated to span 200 working days and is expected to take two construction seasons. Stream channel work would take place between June 15 and Oct. 15 during the project construction.