Bridge Completion A Reason To Celebrate For Rail Road Flat, Mountain Ranch
San Andreas, CA – Residents in the Rail Road Flat and Mountain Ranch communities have cause to pause for some hallelujahs this week as a new piece of connecting infrastructure makes its official debut.
In fact, Calaveras County Public Works officials are this Thursday hosting a ribbon cutting to celebrate and officially dedicate the new Rail Road Flat Road Bridge over Esperanza Creek. Located near the intersection of Wharregard Road, the recently completed two-lane concrete structure stands in the place of an 80-year-old, “functionally obsolete” bridge, as officials have described the antiquated span. Total construction costs were $1.7 million, funded through federal Highway Bridge Program (HBP) grant funding, which focuses on repairing and replacing structurally deficient bridges.
Locals interested in attending the event – and anyone planning on traveling through the area – should know that one-way traffic controls will be in place beginning at 1:30 p.m. Thursday ahead of the ceremony. Attendees will be able to park within the closed lane and motorists will need to follow traffic control instructions.
The ribbon cutting itself will follow at 2 o’clock during which the road will briefly close and thru-traffic will have to wait or use a different route. One lane will reopen 15 minutes later, officials say, adding that road and bridge travel will fully restore at 2:30.
Officials remind anyone planning to attend that cellular reception can be limited in the area and so those unfamiliar with the route should plan to carry a paper copy of driving directions. Anyone with further questions may contact Calaveras County Department of Public Works at 209 754-6401.
