Total Overhaul for Wohler Bridge South of Town

You know Wohler Bridge, that giant one-laner over the Russian River just to our south, where you can cross from Westside Road over to the Forestville area? Starting this summer, the century-old bridge will be undergoing a massive reconstruction project to make it more resistant to earthquakes. Sonoma County government officials are calling it “the biggest bridge retrofit project ever undertaken by the county.” Construction should last about a year and a half and cost $18 million in federal funds, according to the county. Ghilotti Construction Company is the lucky Santa Rosa business that won the bid. I’m not sure exactly what the bridge closure situation will be during construction, but I’ve reached out to a county spokesperson for more details — will keep y’all posted. Here what officials did say in their announcement last week: “The existing seismically deficient one-lane bridge, which was completed in 1922, will receive a new lightweight concrete deck, seismic isolation bearings and joints, steel truss reinforcement and foundation reinforcement designed to meet current seismic design standards for bridges. County officials were able to design the project to meet state requirements while preserving the architectural appeal of the iconic bridge, following extensive community engagement over a period of years. Construction will begin this summer with expected completion by the end of 2025.” (Source: Sonoma County Government & Sonoma County Government)