The once bustling thoroughfare of Highway 70 has partially reopened after over a month of closure due to a fire at the historic Hotel Marysville, according to officials. The fire, which took place mid-June, caused not only damage to the structure but also a significant interruption to the local community and businesses. Southbound lanes are now accessible to the public following safety assessments and the construction of a debris barrier intended to protect passing traffic from potential collapse of the structure.
As reported by KCRA, the road closures between 3rd and 6th streets initially came as immediate response to concerns regarding the hotel's stability. The hotel, dating back to 1926 and recognized in a National Register of Historic Places, was empty for several decades and had been considered for redevelopment. However, local businesses like those owned by Bruce Cockrill, suffered greatly due to the diverted traffic patterns.
Cockrill detailed to CBS News Sacramento the strains that the detours have caused, including damage to his property due to hit-and-runs and the loss of customer traffic to his business. "I have a business here. Can't run it because there's no business now," Cockrill said. The congestion and rerouted traffic raised not just a commercial challenge but also safety concerns for locals.
Caltrans District 3's Megan Reese articulated the efforts to mitigate this intrusion and danger to the Marysville residents. "We have our construction team out today putting in these safety barriers," Reese said. These 10-foot-tall debris screens, paid for via an emergency contract, are designed to shield the open southbound lanes from potential debris should the hotel's top floor crumble. Reese further encouraged motorists to adhere to the speed limits, showing respect for the local community’s struggle during this period of disruption, as reported by CBS News Sacramento.
The city has adapted the radius of its safety perimeter surrounding the fire-damaged hotel from 120 feet to 60 feet with endorsements from an engineering report by Caltrans. This adjustment has facilitated a partial reopening and suggests a step towards restoring full traffic flow in downtown Marysville. While southbound lanes are now back in business, the northbound detour from 3rd to B Street remains, as efforts continue to ensure both the safety and livelihood of the historic city's residents and visitors.
