The Sonoma County Board of Supervisors greenlit a $1.8 million contract for preliminary engineering and environmental analysis essential for the seismic retrofit of the Bohemian Highway Bridge in Monte Rio, as the span over the Russian River is known to be susceptible to severe damage in the event of a major earthquake, a report by the county confirmed. According to the details provided by Sonoma County, the state, which initially intended to replace the bridge, adjusted plans following a suggestion from the Caltrans Office of Earthquake Engineering in 2023, proposing an exclusively focused approach on rectifying the seismic weaknesses.
Supervisor Lynda Hopkins, expressing relief that the project is proceeding after years of anticipation and acknowledging the bridge's significance for West County, said, "This bridge is a critical connection for West County, and I’m glad the seismic upgrade project is finally moving forward after eight years of planning and changes from the state," as reported by Sonoma County. The bridge has borne witness to nearly two decades of debate over its seismic deficiencies, with replacement efforts starting in earnest in 2015 and community engagements by the county, making the securing of grant funding from state and federal agencies a reality.
The initial analysis in 2012 indicated that constructing a new bridge might be more cost-effective than a retrofit, considering the bridge's age, being constructed in 1934, and various structural issues, including an eroding foundation and subpar access for bikes and pedestrians. Yet time has wielded its gavel, and the rising project costs with changing designs from an estimated $25 million to $88 million redirected the state's course to pivot towards retrofitting, the same report detailed.
The retrofit project for the Bohemian Highway Bridge has become eligible for reimbursement under the Federal Highway Bridge Program, with local matching funds supplied by the state through the Local Bridge Seismic Retrofit Account. Out of 925 engineering firms invited to bid, only two stepped forward, with Fresno-based Cornerstone Structural Engineering Group, Inc. being the chosen contractor for the job, according to Sonoma County.
