City Council Agrees To Look At Railroad Bridge Alternative

A significant number of cyclists rolled out to the Healdsburg City Council meeting last night to appeal to councilmembers not to during upcoming expected bridge closures.

The 91-year-old bridge has been scheduled for seismic retrofitting and renovation after a citywide call to save the bridge in 2010.

The Healdsburg Memorial Bridge, known by the city as the Healdsburg Avenue Bridge, is slated to close for renovation for 18-24 months starting in early-2014. Work proposed to start in July of 2013 is not expect to shut the span.

Most cyclists favored the staff-created number three alternative, "use the SMART/NRCA Railroad Bridge," for the duration of the renovation. Those in favor of that option included members of the, who presence was heavy at the meeting.

"This isn't a kid's toy; this is my transportation," said Joyce Chang. She rides her bike to work daily from north of Healdsburg across the bridge to Windsor.

"This [a bike] is a viable form of transporation," she continued.

Forty-five year Healdsburg resident and activist Gail Jonas also spoke.

"It's not only bicycles but pedestrians, as well. Low income people rely on the river for recreation," Jonas said.

"You'd be cutting off people from the river," she continued. She urged the council to choose the railroad bridge option.

Use of the railroad bridge would require approval from both and the Northwestern Pacific Railroad (), as well as the public utilities commission.

Access and egress concerns would have to be addressed, including crosswalk striping on the west side and connection to Healdsburg Avenue on the east side of the river.

An environmental review may also be required.

Coucilmembers were unanimous in their recognition of the railroad bridge option as being the preferred route substitute.

"We agree that the bridge is the best alternative," say Mayor Gary Plass. However, he as well as other councilmembers emphasized the city is not in a financial position to complete the project.

"This may be the place for a public-private partnership," said Plass.

A meeting to be held by Sonoma County Supervisors Valerie Brown, who is also the SMART representative, and , and is scheduled for Sept. 10 at the supervisors office in Santa Rosa.

Councilmembers encouraged the cyclists to attend that meeting, as well.

To read Press Democrat coverage click here.

To read the Healdsburg Public Works Department request for city council direction to staff and the alternatives click here.