Summer 2024 marks the start of a major facelift for the historic Wohler Road Bridge over the Russian River, situated a stone’s throw from Santa Rosa. A hefty $18 million will be poured into the seismic retrofitting of this 1922 single-lane bridge, with Sonoma County's supervisors having just handed out the construction contract. The upgrade will introduce a lighter concrete deck, seismic isolation features, and bolstered steel trusses and foundations – all designed to bring the bridge up to par with current standards without compromising its classic look.

Key to the project's move to the construction stage is the tireless efforts of numerous groups and individuals, including the Wohler Bridge Neighborhood Association and various state utility firms and agencies. "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,” District 5 Supervisor Lynda Hopkins was quoted as saying. The bridge is anticipated to reopen at the close of 2025, following a comprehensive ordeal involving environmental studies, architectural planning, and intricate utility negotiations.

With an official nod from Caltrans in 2023, the Federal Highway Bridge Program has agreed to finance the entire retrofit cost, notching up a total of $17,994,621. Ghilotti Construction Company, Inc. secured the contract as the most competitive among four bidding contenders, laying down the roadmap for preserving this Sonoma County treasure.

The Department of Public Infrastructure is the go-to for queries about this seismic retrofit project. Interested parties can dial (707) 565-2550 for a direct line or shoot an email to [email protected]. It’s a colossal effort with the promise of enhanced safety and steadfast preservation of the community's revered river span.