CALTRANS STARTS ON PUDDING CREEK BRIDGE IN THE SUMMER
This summer, Caltrans will expand Pudding Creek Bridge to two twelvefoot wide lanes and two eightfoot shoulders and construct two six feet wide sidewalks. The purpose is to create a bicycle-friendly and pedestrianfriendly bridge on Highway 1. When completed, the bridge will look like a city street, accommodating vehicles, pedestrians, and cyclists. The project also includes new railings that are up to the current code.
Ideally, the expansion will provide easier access to the beach areas beyond the bridge and encourage tourists staying in beachfront lodgings the opportunity to walk to the city center. Just south of the bridge are restaurants and commercial businesses that may benefit from the foot and bicycle traffic along Main Street. Inns not far from the bridge stand to benefit as well.
Another part of the project will move the city's waterline from the Pudding Creek Dam and place it on Highway 1. Fort Bragg Public Works Department plans to relocate approximately 1000 feet of water main of the dam owned by Georgia Pacific and attach it to the east side of the Pudding Creek Bridge, which Caltrans own. The water main will connect to both north and south extensions.
According to Public Works Director Varga's report at a City Council meeting on February 10, 2020, problems arose in December 2016 when the dam was overtopped in a storm causing the water main to lose its support partially. The dam was originally placed in the estuary of Pudding Creek in 1955 by the Union Lumber Company to store water for mill operations. The water main was placed on the dam in 1984 to serve properties, and the fire department needs north of the bridge.
Varga noted that the Caltrans bridge project was a rare opportunity to relocate the water main by including it in the Caltrans project since state and county environmental review and permitting processes for the bridge would need to be undertaken. The city's project would then have a minimal role in all the steps necessary for agency approval.
The estimated cost of the city's project is $1,645,800 million. Improving water service north of Pudding Creek has been a goal for some time. After completing the project, Public Works expects to see improved water pressure and flow reliability. Besides the long-range goal of providing northern properties with better water service, Public Works took into consideration the future possibility of any large site development at the northern end of the city.
Drivers needing access across the Pudding Creek Bridge during Caltrans construction should be prepared for traffic delays. At this time, Caltrans has not provided information about specific traffic adjustments or what the estimated finish date is likely to be. However, drivers should expect north or south lane closures at times and possibly bridge closures occasionally in the night hours.