Historical Wohler Road Bridge over the Russian River to get seismic upgrade beginning Summer 2024

The Board of Supervisors today awarded an $18 million construction contract for the seismic retrofit of the historical Wohler Road Bridge over the Russian River, located 10 miles northwest of Santa Rosa. The existing seismically deficient one-lane bridge, which was completed in 1922, will receive a new lightweight concrete deck, seismic isolation bearings and joints, steel truss reinforcement and foundation reinforcement designed to meet current seismic design standards for bridges.

County officials were able to design the project to meet state requirements while preserving the architectural appeal of the iconic bridge, following extensive community engagement over a period of years. Construction will begin this summer with expected completion by the end of 2025. 

"Countless stakeholders need to be recognized for getting this project to the construction phase – from the Wohler Bridge Neighborhood Association to the utility companies and partner agencies at the state level, to our dedicated team of engineers and officials at the Department of Public Infrastructure,” said District 5 Supervisor Lynda Hopkins. “The extensive environmental, geotechnical, hydraulic, and hydrologic studies, complex negotiations for utility coordination, architectural study and planning have all taken patience and perseverance. I applaud and thank you and look forward to the grand re-opening of this iconic Sonoma County landmark.”

Following project approval by Caltrans in 2023, the Federal Highway Bridge Program committed to funding 100 percent of the project cost, which is expected to be $17,994,621. Ghilotti Construction Company, Inc. was awarded the contract as the lowest bidder following a competitive bidding process that included bids from four different construction companies.

For more information about the seismic retrofit of Wohler Road Bridge over the Russian River, please contact the Department of Public Infrastructure at (707) 565-2550 or email spi@sonoma-county.org.

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Media Contact:
Dan Virkstis, Communications Specialist
publicaffairs@sonoma-county.org
(707) 565-3040
575 Administration Drive, Suite 104A
Santa Rosa, CA 95403