Board of Supervisors approves construction of permanent Asti bridge over Russian River

The Board of Supervisors today approved the construction of a permanent two-lane bridge across the Russian River on Washington School Road near the community of Asti in north Sonoma County. The new bridge is intended to enhance public safety and connectivity and eliminate the financial cost and environmental impact of installing and removing a temporary bridge each year.  

The permanent bridge project has been analyzed under the California Environmental Quality Act and will be designed in accordance with Caltrans standards, including roadway improvements such as pedestrian and bicycle access. Following today’s approval by the Board of Supervisors, the Department of Public Infrastructure will proceed with the bridge planning and design phases. Department officials are expected to return to the Board at a later date with additional financing recommendations, which could include the formation of an assessment district. The estimated construction cost of the project is $30 million. 

“This project has overwhelming community support from homeowners and neighbors who for too long have faced the risk of being trapped if the seasonal bridge is not open and a wildfire cuts off River Road north to Cloverdale,” said Supervisor James Gore, who represents Sonoma County Supervisorial District Four. “Residents of Palomino Lakes, River Road in Cloverdale and the Alexander Valley Citizens League all understand the cost and complexity of maintaining a temporary seasonal bridge, and the need for permanent emergency access regardless of the season.”  

Existing traffic currently must travel more than 10 miles to Cloverdale Bridge on Crocker Road and back to get to Asti Road when a temporary bridge is not in place. The project is not anticipated to increase overall vehicle travel in the area.   

As part of the County’s technical studies and environmental review process, engineers and officials in the Department of Public Infrastructure identified a series of mitigation measures, including retaining walls along the bridge approaches to reduce impacts on oak trees and other vegetation, minimizing tree and vegetation removal, and design aesthetics to better harmonize the bridge with its surroundings.  

Other mitigation measures relate to air and noise quality during construction, biological monitoring for critical habitat and bird nesting, reduction of downstream turbidity caused by construction activity, monitoring of cultural resources by an archeologist and tribal representative, and geological monitoring by a qualified paleontologist.  

In addition to the Washington School Road bridge in Asti, the County of Sonoma installs seasonal summer bridges on Vacation Beach Road and Odd Fellows Road over the Russian River.    

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Media Contact:
Dan Virkstis
publicaffairs@sonoma-county.org 
(707) 565-3040