Report available on So. Trinity bridge projets

The environmental study and proposed Negative Declaration with mitigation measures for a project to replace five one-lane bridges with twolane structures and rehabilitate sections of Mad River, Van Duzen and Ruth-Zenia roads in Southern Trinity County is now available for public review.

The Federal Highways Administration is proposing to replace the Lost Bridge, Shanty Creek Bridge and High Steel Bridge near the community of Mad River and two bridges on upper Mad River Road (over Van Horn Gulch and the South Fork of the Mad River) near the community of Ruth.

As part of the bridge replacement projects, sections of upper Mad River Road south of Ruth, Van Duzen Road south of Van Duzen School and Ruth- Zenia Road from the junction with Van Duzen Road to Zenia will be rehabilitated and repaved.

Because the roads involved are designated forest highways providing access to national forest lands, the project is eligible for Federal Highways money. Total construction cost estimates range from $11.5 million to $13.8 million over the next three years with the initial work anticipated to commence this summer.

The environmental study includes details such as anticipated traffic delays related to construction with a maximum of 30 minutes except for one complete closure on Van Duzen Road for four-hour periods that will be needed to set the girders for the new High Steel Bridge across the Van Duzen River. The four-hour closures will be limited to one 10-day period.

The public review period to submit written comments on the Negative Declaration began Jan. 28 and ends Feb. 28. The Initial Study and proposed Negative Declaration may be viewed online at www.trinitycounty.org/Departments/Planning/ planning.htm or at the Trinity County Library, 351 Main St., Weaverville; the Planning Department at 61 Airport Road, Weaverville; or the Department of Transportation at 31301 Highway 3, Weaverville.

Comments may be sent to Janice Smith at the Department of Transportation, P.O. Box 2490, Weaverville, CA 96093; 623-1365; or by e-mail to jsmith@trinitycounty.org.

A public hearing on the documents will be held by the Trinity County Planning Commission at 7 p.m. March 11 at the library meeting room in Weaverville.