From Placer County: Work is set to begin Aug. 18 on the American River Bridge Debris Removal Project, marking the start of efforts to remove 750 tons of metal and concrete remnants from the old state Route 49 Bridge that have remained in the river for more than 60 years.
There will be closures and detours on popular American River Canyon trails and recreation areas during the project.
The first phase of the project will involve building a temporary ramp and “beach area” to allow access and storage for heavy equipment throughout the duration of construction.
Drivers are urged to use caution and watch for workers, as well as trucks entering and exiting state Route 49. The speed limit will be reduced to 25 mph through the work zone. In addition, a lane closure with one-way reversing traffic control will be in place the night of Aug. 18 from 9 p.m. to 5 a.m.
The county has launched a new web page to provide construction updates, road and trail closure updates and other project information.
“This is a complex process, but our goal remains clear: to remove these materials in a safe, environmentally responsible way,” said Cheyenne Toney, senior civil engineer for Placer County. “It’s our intent to come in and clean this debris, and when we leave it will look like we were never here, and the debris was never here.”
The Calcutta Falls Trail will be closed from the trailhead at SR-49 to No Hands Bridge for the duration of the project. Pedestrians will be detoured via the Western States Trail—accessible from the trailhead directly across SR-49 from the Quarry Trail parking area—or via the Mountain Quarries Bypass Trailhead on Old Foresthill Road.
The first 150 feet of shoulder parking along southbound SR-49 in El Dorado County near the Calcutta Falls trailhead will also be closed. Shoulder parking beyond that point, as well as all parking on Old Foresthill Road, will remain open.
For public safety, the river between the Old Foresthill Road Bridge and No Hands Bridge will be closed to all water recreation. The beach area between the Old Foresthill Bridge and Highway 49 bridge will close Sept. 2 following Labor Day weekend.
The old SR-49 Bridge collapsed in 1964 after the failure of Hell Hole Dam during a major weather event. Shortly after, Congress approved the Auburn Dam project, and the debris was left in place under the assumption it would be submerged by the planned reservoir. When the dam was never built, the remnants remained in the American River. Visit the County website to see the video of the bridge collapse.
The effort to remove the debris gained momentum after community group Protect American River Canyons urged county leaders to take action. In 2023, the county worked with former state Sen. Brian Dahle to secure $8 million in state funding for the project. The funds were transferred to Placer County’s Department of Public Works, which is now managing the effort.
Last year, the county contracted with Dokken Engineering of Folsom for environmental consulting services. Dokken coordinated with regulatory agencies to ensure the project meets strict environmental and safety standards.
The project is being conducted by Myers & Sons Construction of Sacramento.
For more information, visit http://www.ARDebris.com.
There will be closures and detours on popular American River Canyon trails and recreation areas during the project.
The first phase of the project will involve building a temporary ramp and “beach area” to allow access and storage for heavy equipment throughout the duration of construction.
Drivers are urged to use caution and watch for workers, as well as trucks entering and exiting state Route 49. The speed limit will be reduced to 25 mph through the work zone. In addition, a lane closure with one-way reversing traffic control will be in place the night of Aug. 18 from 9 p.m. to 5 a.m.
The county has launched a new web page to provide construction updates, road and trail closure updates and other project information.
“This is a complex process, but our goal remains clear: to remove these materials in a safe, environmentally responsible way,” said Cheyenne Toney, senior civil engineer for Placer County. “It’s our intent to come in and clean this debris, and when we leave it will look like we were never here, and the debris was never here.”
The Calcutta Falls Trail will be closed from the trailhead at SR-49 to No Hands Bridge for the duration of the project. Pedestrians will be detoured via the Western States Trail—accessible from the trailhead directly across SR-49 from the Quarry Trail parking area—or via the Mountain Quarries Bypass Trailhead on Old Foresthill Road.
The first 150 feet of shoulder parking along southbound SR-49 in El Dorado County near the Calcutta Falls trailhead will also be closed. Shoulder parking beyond that point, as well as all parking on Old Foresthill Road, will remain open.
For public safety, the river between the Old Foresthill Road Bridge and No Hands Bridge will be closed to all water recreation. The beach area between the Old Foresthill Bridge and Highway 49 bridge will close Sept. 2 following Labor Day weekend.
The old SR-49 Bridge collapsed in 1964 after the failure of Hell Hole Dam during a major weather event. Shortly after, Congress approved the Auburn Dam project, and the debris was left in place under the assumption it would be submerged by the planned reservoir. When the dam was never built, the remnants remained in the American River. Visit the County website to see the video of the bridge collapse.
The effort to remove the debris gained momentum after community group Protect American River Canyons urged county leaders to take action. In 2023, the county worked with former state Sen. Brian Dahle to secure $8 million in state funding for the project. The funds were transferred to Placer County’s Department of Public Works, which is now managing the effort.
Last year, the county contracted with Dokken Engineering of Folsom for environmental consulting services. Dokken coordinated with regulatory agencies to ensure the project meets strict environmental and safety standards.
The project is being conducted by Myers & Sons Construction of Sacramento.
For more information, visit http://www.ARDebris.com.
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