Construction to continue until February
The wait is almost over. Healdsburg’s Memorial Bridge, which closed last fall for renovation, will open to vehicle traffic next week, on Wednesday, Oct. 28.
The renovation project is not complete, but the roadway will be. “It will still be a pretty burdensome construction site,” said Healdsburg Senior Engineer Mario Landeros, who has shepherded the bridge project since it began.
This week, crews are working underneath and on the bridge, installing guard rails and removing a complex scaffolding under the bridge that has allowed access by construction crews.
Before next week’s opening, the roadway will be cleaned and striped and the intersection of Healdsburg Avenue and Kennedy Lane will be paved.
The paving project will close the intersection for much of the day this Saturday.
The decrepit chain link fence that ran along both sides of the walkways is gone and is being replaced with the original low metal latticework and a taller cable system that will improve sightlines while preventing anyone from climbing onto the railing and jumping, a common pastime decades ago when the river channel was deeper.
On a short term basis, the north end of the bridge will have a new traffic feature, a four-way stop sign. “Drivers will be able to get used to stopping, and we’ll have the traffic signal installed by late November or early December,” said Landeros.
The bridge has been painted silver and nostalgic light fixtures – with modern LED bulbs – will be installed along the sides.
A dedication ceremony will be held in February or March, when the work is complete. The project cost about $12 million.
