Caltrans releases 7 Fernbridge alternatives
Caltrans has publicly released seven alternatives for future access to Ferndale on Highway 211, ranging from rehabilitating Fernbridge at its current width to demolishing the 113-year-old “Queen of Bridges” and replacing it.
The documents have been released ahead of a community meeting tonight at 5:30pm at Ferndale City Hall.
A final decision on the project is still months, if not years, away, let alone an actual groundbreaking. Caltrans says this “Project Initiation Phase” that started in July will run through March 2025, followed by the next planned phase: Project Approval and Environmental Document (timing TBD). After that, Final Project Design and Construction.
Caltrans has also confirmed that an automatic earthquake gate is in the works for Fernbridge as the final step in emergency repairs from the December 2022 6.4-magnitude earthquake that hit the Eel River Valley.
The agency says it “will install a seismic gate system. If an earthquake occurs, the system will automatically close Fernbridge. The closure will prevent travel across the bridge. Caltrans will then complete a safety inspection before reopening to the public.”
Fernbridge options, according to Caltrans
1 and 2: Rehabilitate Fernbridge, either leaving it at its current width or widening it to modern standards
3 and 4: Build a new, permanent bridge and rehab Fernbridge for non-motorized use, either with minimal alterations or with a new steel “superstructure”
5: Build a new, permanent bridge adjacent to the existing Fernbridge, then demolish the old one
6: Build a new, permanent bridge and leave Fernbridge standing
7: Remove existing bridge and build a new, permanent bridge “on existing alignment”
Seismic gate renderings
How to give input
You can attend tonight’s meeting. You can fill out this Caltrans survey (make sure you’re on the “participate” tab).
You can also stay tuned to Caltrans (website, Facebook) for announcements of future meetings.
The agency says that in this phase, it is seeking to:
Gain an understanding of the feasibility of each alternative;
Receive community input on the pros and cons of each alternative;
Use public feedback to refine options and establish a set of alternatives for further review.
Regarding the first item there: One question is, does Caltrans even know that Alternatives 1 and 2 (rehabbing the existing bridge for vehicles) are feasible, or is that TBD?
Here are the “partners” that Caltrans lists, saying more will be added:
Full disclosure: The Chamber has tapped board member Brian Christensen along with my dad, Stu, as liaisons to Caltrans regarding Fernbridge. My understanding is that their role, so far, is not to lobby but rather to receive and relay information. I am getting my info at the same time as the rest of the public.
Looking back, looking forward
I don’t know whether there is a consensus among Ferndalers about the future of the bridge. What do you think?
In the late 1980s, Caltrans proposed—or rather, “recommended studying the possibility of”—Fernbridge alternatives much like the ones being floated today.
Ferndale rebuffed the state, “mobiliz[ing] and enlist[ing] the support of power brokers all the way from the county seat to the state capital in an effort to protect their 75-year-old landmark from the destruction that neither flood nor earthquake could achieve.”
For now, take a look at this LA Times story if you weren’t around in ‘87. You can also buy (or probably check out at the Ferndale Library) “Saving the Queen: The Story of Fernbridge,” directed by Wendy Lestina (author of
) with Brian Christensen.
At a future date, I’ll take a dive into the Enterprise archives to share more. (Then-editor Elizabeth Poston McHarry, RIP, helped lead the charge to save the bridge.)
LAT:
“The Statue of Liberty was restored,” said Richard Farrington, Ferndale’s mayor. “They didn’t tear that down and build a new one.” …
“The people here, being a little conservative, they just don’t like having bureaucrats telling them what to do,” said John Gilliland, who last November threw a 75th “birthday party” for the bridge. …
“It may be old and narrow, but it means a lot to all of us,” wrote artist and gallery owner Larry Eifert in one angry missive to the Enterprise in the weeks after Caltrans’ plans were made public. “We feel we can put up with the slight inconveniences of an outdated bridge to be able to enter Ferndale’s valley over a classic feat of engineering instead of a piece of modern junk.” …
“Maybe they ought to talk about tearing down the Golden Gate Bridge before they come to us about Fernbridge,” Farrington said. …
“So people have to slow down when they drive over the bridge--so what?” said 81-year-old Viola McBride, who still remembers the day Fernbridge opened to traffic--horse-drawn traffic. “We haven’t gotten that speedy here yet, I hope.”
This time, Caltrans says, “a permanent fix is essential to strengthen the bridge against future earthquakes.” After 1992, 2010, 2022, and our latest 7.0 quake last week, we are about to find out whether the Ferndale community’s appetite for a new bridge has changed; whether the town can speak as one; and what kind of clout we still have.
Join the chat
I’m opening a Fernbridge chat to paid and comped subscribers here. Feel free to email me at ellie at franciscreekdigital.com if you’d like to request a complimentary subscription. Thanks for your interest!
