Drivers making that tense squeeze between Oakville and Kenwood just got some relief. A new 80-foot bridge on Dry Creek Road opened Friday, replacing a cramped, century-old, one-lane span and cutting out two sharp curves on a twisty stretch through the Mayacamas. The change is expected to ease a daily bottleneck for roughly 800 vehicles. County officials celebrated with a ribbon-cutting and a limited opening to traffic.
According to Napa County, one lane of the new bridge is now open to two-way traffic, with full two-lane access anticipated in early May, weather permitting. The project includes about 900 feet of new roadway and an 80-foot span located roughly 0.8 miles west of Mt. Veeder Road.
"This is a special day for Napa County and the approximately 800 motorists per day who have relied on the 100-year-old, one-lane bridge to get where they're going," Vice Chair Liz Alessio said, noting that replacing a structure that could fail in a major earthquake and removing two sharp curves improves safety and supports faster emergency response times. The county's release also named Gordon N. Ball as the contractor and Biggs Cardosa Associates as the lead design and permitting firm, and said Bureau Veritas provided construction management services, per Napa County.
Project scope and funding
The county estimates the work at about $11 million, with federal, state and county sources covering construction, including the Federal Highway Administration's Highway Bridge Program and Napa County's Measure T sales tax. The new span and straightened road replace an older, seismically vulnerable crossing and remove two tight curves that had made the route slow and hazardous. Bay Area coverage of the opening summarized the county announcement and funding details, as reported by SFGATE.
What drivers will notice
Motorists should see a smoother, straighter stretch where crews removed two curves and rebuilt the approaches, with one lane currently open for alternating traffic while finishing work continues. Officials say the realignment will make it easier for emergency vehicles to reach hilltop neighborhoods and should reduce the need for detours during future storms or seismic events. Local coverage noted the ribbon-cutting and the limited opening this week, with full access expected in the weeks ahead, per Local News Matters.
Planning and next steps
The Dry Creek Road replacement has been in the works for years. CEQA filings show the county submitted project documents in 2021, and the notice of determination was approved in early 2022. The new bridge sits about 0.8 miles west of Mt. Veeder Road, and crews will complete final paving, striping and rail work before the second lane opens. Project records and environmental documents are available via the state's CEQAnet listing for the Dry Creek Road Bridge Replacement Project, as noted by CEQAnet.
