Long-awaited bridge construction near Forestville prompting safety concerns
A long-awaited bridge project is underway in the North Bay, but coupled with a nearby road closure because of a massive mudslide, construction has created a situation residents said is a "safety" issue.
Businesses said it will impact sales and commerce.
Trini Amador's Gracianna Winery in Healdsburg near the banks of the Russian River, draws in locals and tourists, as the industry continues to struggle with decreased demand.
"We've been here since 2012, and we see thousands of guests a year, and we're very concerned about this bridge closure," said Amador.
The 103-year-old Wohler Bridge nearby is in extreme need of a seismic retrofit and is closed until October.
Another access point to the vineyard, West Side Road, is also closed as portions of it crumbled into the Russian River, wiping out a home in its path, after a major storm in February.
"If there's an emergency, there's only one way to get out for all of us," said Amador.
Safety is a concern for Amador. He asked the county to delay the bridge project.
He said he is seeing and hearing of the immediate impact of the closures.
"Folks are canceling their appointments because they're realizing that they can't get in, they have to go all the way around," said Amador.
That detour can add 20-to-25 minutes each way, commuters said.
Sonoma County Supervisor Lynda Hopkins tried to install a temporary bridge at Wohler, but state and federal permits, including lengthy environmental reviews proved to be cost and time-prohibitive.
A temporary bridge at West Side Road also ran into unforeseen issues.
"Unfortunately, due to current federal chaos, we are unable to get steel and, so we were unable to install that bailey bridge," said Sonoma County District 5 Supervisor Lynda Hopkins.
Hopkins said simply delaying the bridge retrofit would jeopardize $17 million in funding and permits already in place.
A trip to the winery using Google Maps takes people directly to the bridge closure instead of towards the only alternate route now available, via the 101 freeway, KPIX learned.
That confusion for non-locals is a major concern for businesses. Fernando Arellano is a tasting room manager at Gracianna.
His six-minute commute from Forestville is now 25 minutes, he said.
"The day-to-day is a little bit different now, definitely impactful," said Arellano.
He is spending more on gas, but he and colleagues are more concerned about emergency access with only one road out and sales too.
"Could it impact our business and drive business down by 50%. The answer is yes, and we're very concerned," said Amador.
For Amador and other nearby businesses, safety and flow of commerce are at risk.
Amador said his neighborhood group is very organized but would not provide details of what that next step is.
County Supervisor Hopkins said the bidding process for the West Side Road repair is underway with the hope of reopening it within three months.
