Healdsburg Considering Proposal on Historic Bridge

HEALDSBURG, Calif. (AP) _ Healdsburg officials are set to set to take up the issue of how to proceed with work that needs to be done on a bridge that has spanned the Russian River since 1921.

The Healdsburg City Council on Tuesday is scheduled to review options for the Healdsburg Avenue Bridge, including a recommendation that a new bridge be built, while saving the original bridge for use by bicyclists and pedestrians.

The future of the 398-foot long streel-truss span has been in doubt for sometime because of structural concerns.

The so-called "preferred alternative" recommended by the engineering and consulting firm of Omni-Means Ltd. would have a new concrete bridge be built, while seismic retrofit work would be done on the old bridge. The project would cost an estimated $25 million.

Those in favor of preserving the historic span question the need for building a new bridge.