The Demolition of Fanny Bridge
If you peek over the construction fencing surrounding Fanny Bridge, there is one thing you won’t see anymore — Fanny Bridge. Work on demolishing the 97-year-old bridge (read about its history) started before Labor Day Weekend.
Work on the $10 million project began in June when the contractor for the Federal Highway Administration’s Central Federal Lands Highway Division began diverting water away from the bridge as part of the dewatering process to allow for removal of the bridge’s piers and footings from the riverbed. This was timed with the lowest projected outflows from the dam. The water diversion process also included relocating fish downstream.
The scaffolding you see is a temporary sewer bypass as part of a sewer line replacement. It will be removed after construction is complete.
The project managers are not allowed to talk to the media, so the following information was relayed to Moonshine Ink via Caltrans spokesperson John O’Connell:
“The first phase of demolition included placing cobble under the bridge to act as a protective barrier to the streambed and keep broken concrete out of the river. Next the demolition subcontractor set up a containment system to catch any flying debris from the hydraulic hammer. Demolition began in the bridge’s center span using an excavator with a hydraulic hammer to break off the bridge rail and then the superstructure (bridge deck and girders) and as much of the piers as they could reach. The contractor is working from the center span to the two abutments, removing what they can by chipping everything and then trucking the concrete and rebar off site.
“Once the superstructure is out, the plan is to remove the rest of the piers and the pier foundation and partially remove the upper portions of the abutment and wingwall (a short retaining wall extending at an angle to direct water). The lower sections of the abutment and wingwall will be left in place to maintain the stream under the bridge. Once the bridge demo is complete, the contractor will then remove the cobble pad under the bridge and continue with riprap and girder placement.”
The new bridge, which is expected to be completed by Nov. 15, will be more pedestrian friendly. The single-span bridge — meaning no piers in the river — will be 15 feet wider than the old one and will feature sidewalks and bike lanes on both sides as well as a pedestrian crossing between businesses and recreational areas. The new bridge rail will match the old one, so people can gaze down at the river below just like they always have.
