Caltrans has announced that a stretch of Route 116 in Forestville will be completely shut down for three days to carry out structural enhancements on the Jones Creek Bridge. The closure, affecting the area between Packing House Lane and Kay Lane, will kick off on June 28 at 7:00 PM and is scheduled to conclude by July 1 at 7:00 PM, as stated in an announcement by Caltrans.

Caltrans engineers, during a routine assessment, identified a critical need for the bridge, which spans 22 feet and carries a lane of traffic in each direction, to shed weight to meet modern safety standards after years of accumulated asphalt overlay contributed to an overload. The chosen course of action requires complete closure for efficiency and safety reasons, funneling traffic onto an alternative detour that encompasses Mirabel Road, River Road, Laguna Road, and Guerneville Road.

The repair strategy entails removing the excess asphalt to lighten the bridge's static load and further fortifying it with the installation of precast concrete girders that will be mounted on the existing bridge abutments, offering robust support without weighing down the structure. This will be followed by the addition of concrete panels to top the girders and subsequent repaving to restore a smooth driving surface. According to Caltrans, the agency elaborates on the necessity of the closure due to the work being concentrated in the middle of the bridge, making it infeasible to maintain traffic flow during repairs.

Drivers intending to use this route during the time of construction should brace for a slight delay, with the additional 5.2 miles of detour expected to tack on around seven minutes to travel time under typical weekend congestion; nonetheless, travelers should consider allowing extra traveling time. To accommodate motorists, more time to navigate the detour and avoid disruptions as much as possible, Caltrans advises.