Title
Chief Administrative Office recommending the Board receive information regarding alternatives related to the existing Mosquito Bridge and provide direction to staff regarding options for this bridge after the proposed new Mosquito Bridge is completed. (Est. Time: 30 Min.)
FUNDING: N/A
Body
DEPARTMENT RECOMMENDATION
Chief Administrative Office recommending the Board receive information regarding alternatives related to the existing Mosquito Bridge and provide direction to staff regarding options for this bridge after the proposed new Mosquito Bridge is completed.
DISCUSSION / BACKGROUND
The Department of Transportation received federal funds to replace the existing Mosquito Road Bridge located in a steep canyon of the South Fork of the American River, 6 miles north of U.S. Highway 50, and 2.3 miles south of the communities of Mosquito and Swansboro. California Department of Transportation (Caltrans) and the Federal Highway Association Highway Bridge Program (HBP) have rated the Mosquito Road Bridge structurally deficient and structurally obsolete. On August 16, 2016, the Board adopted a Draft Feasibility Study for Public Access to the South Fork of the American River at Mosquito Bridge and directed Transportation to continue maintenance on the remaining segments of Mosquito Road in the event the Upper Level Alternative is approved for the proposed Mosquito Road Bridge.
The Board did not provide direction on alternatives for the original Mosquito Road Bridge once the new bridge is completed. The original Mosquito Road Bridge, known as the "swinging bridge", was built in 1876 linking the communities of Mosquito and Swansboro to Placerville on Mosquito Road, originally a wagon trail. In 1939, the bridge was largely reconstructed while maintaining the 1876 foundations. Caltrans, with concurrence from the State Historic Preservation Office, has determined that the bridge does not quality for listing on the National Register of Historic Places.
The Feas...
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