Yuba County (County) is proposing to implement the Waldo Road over Dry Creek Bridge Replacement Project (Project), which would build a new bridge to carry Waldo Road over Dry Creek, approximately 100 feet upstream from the existing bridge (Bridge No. 16C0006). The Project is located in rural Yuba County, roughly 14 miles northeast of Wheatland. Waldo Road is a generally north/south road and the bridge crosses Dry Creek on a generally north/south alignment. Waldo Road and connecting roads Spenceville Road and Camp Far West Road, are all lightly traveled routes passing through rolling Sierra foothills terrain. The bridge is located within the Spenceville Wildlife Area, a 11,900-acre wildlife preserve and public outdoor recreation area administered by the California Department of Fish and Wildlife (CDFW). The existing bridge is currently classified as structurally deficient, with a sufficiency rating of 9.3. A new bridge is necessary to meet current design and safety standards which can safely convey vehicles, including emergency response vehicles, and pedestrians across Dry Creek. The replacement bridge will meet current applicable County, America Association of State Highway and Transportation Officials, and Caltrans design standards. The proposed new bridge is a continuous three-span, post-tensioned concrete box girder bridge. The spans are 72 feet, 96 feet, and 72 feet respectively. It will have two, twelve-foot travel lanes and two, four-foot shoulders and provide a clear width between barrier rails of 34 feet. A vehicular railing will be attached to the edge of deck of the new structure. The piers supporting the intermediate spans will be two, four-foot diameter columns pinned at their bases with end spans supported by seat type abutments with wingwalls protected by rock slope protection. Abutments 1 and 4 (the end supports) will be founded on spread footing foundations, both embedded and doweled into intact rock at each support. The new bridge will require a realignment of the roadway, which will correct the existing substandard curves on roadway approaches to the bridge. The vertical profile of the new bridge will be raised slightly to provide sufficient water conveyance beneath the bridge during flood events. This will also require a slight rise in the approach roadway elevation, which will gradually decrease until the realigned roadway conforms to the existing roadway elevations. Once the new bridge has been constructed, the existing bridge would be demolished. Preservation and maintenance of the bridge is not possible due to the presence of hazardous lead paint throughout the structure, the non-standard design components, substandard curves, unprotected pedestrian access, and on-going timber and steel maintenance issues. Acquisition of permanent right-of-way is anticipated for this Project. Since the proposed alignment is shifting the new bridge to the east along with new approach alignments, Yuba County will no longer need right-of-way a portion of the existing right-of-way along the existing alignment, which can be given to CDFW for use in the Spenceville Wildlife Area. Project Purpose The purpose of the Project is to replace the structurally deficient bridge in order to: Enhance safety by providing a crossing sufficient for both pedestrian and vehicular use, including emergency vehicles; and Provide a transportation facility consistent with County and Caltrans Standards, as well as local and regional plans. Project Need The existing bridge is currently classified as structurally deficient, with a sufficiency rating of 9.3. A new bridge is necessary to meet current design and safety standards which can safely convey vehicles, including emergency response vehicles, and pedestrians across Dry Creek. Full replacement of the bridge is needed because the current structures do not meet structural design standards, which include substandard curves on both bridge roadway approaches and insufficient width to safely provide crossing by both vehicular and pedestrian users. No Build Alternative Under the No Build alternative, the existing bridge would not be rehabilitated or replaced. The existing bridge would continue to be classified as structurally deficient. This would result in continued deterioration of the bridge which would likely result in an adverse effect/significant impact under both Section 106 of the National Historic Preservation Act and CEQA. Further, the bridge would continue to have hazardous lead paint and fail to meet current applicable County, America Association of State Highway and Transportation Officials, and Caltrans design standards.
