The Abridged version:
- The Stevenson Bridge, known locally as “graffiti bridge,” will close May 1 for repairs.
- The project will likely last six months, officials from Yolo and Solano counties said.
- While the bridge is closed, detours will be in effect.
When Stevenson Bridge was built more than a century ago, Yolo County was a very different place. Airplanes were just starting to take to the skies for crop dusting, a budding almond festival in the Capay Valley was less than 10 years old and UC Davis was still called the Northern Branch of the College of Agriculture.
Just about 100 years and a historical landmark designation later, the bridge, and its distinctive paint job, remains standing. But officials say it needs a little help.
On May 1, the long-planned rehabilitation of the “graffiti bridge” over Putah Creek will temporarily close the crossing, Yolo County announced Tuesday. The project, which officials from Solano and Yolo counties are planning to complete by October, will include erosion protection, seismic retrofitting, roadway realignment, new foundations and concrete repairs. The release did not say whether the graffiti that has given the bridge its nickname will be preserved.
“Rehabilitating Stevenson Bridge is essential to preserving one of California’s most unique historic transportation structures,” a news release from Yolo County said. “Addressing the bridge’s structural needs will ensure its continued accessibility, safety and historical significance for generations to come.”
Stevenson Bridge connects Yolo and Solano counties and has long been used by farmers, residents and cyclists traveling between Winters and Davis.
A well-known destination
Over the years, Stevenson Bridge has become a recognizable landmark in Yolo and Solano counties.
On a Solano County Facebook post announcing the project, commenters tagged each other, included photos they had taken of the bridge and shared memories.
“My boys and their pals took some of their first band pictures out here on the bridge,” said one commenter.
“Such a fun location! I’ve done a few photo shoots there! Hopefully the graffiti stays. … It makes it unique!” said another.
On the weekends, throngs of cyclists cross the bridge as they make their way between Davis and Winters or vice versa.
In the release, Yolo County Supervisor Lucas Frerichs, whose district includes the bridge, acknowledged the disruption that the closure will cause.
“Yolo County will continue to perform monthly street sweeping and vegetation maintenance along County Road 31 to improve bicycle safety for those using this alternate route more frequently due to the temporary construction closure of Stevenson Bridge,” he said.
Multimillion-dollar project
Yolo County will be involved in the project, but Solano County is taking the reins. Officials there have contracted with A&B Construction to do the work for about $8.3 million. Most of that cost will be covered by the federal Highway Bridge Program, but each county will be responsible for roughly $1.65 million.
While the construction is underway, the bridge will be closed, as well as County Road 95A between the bridge and Russell Boulevard. Detours will be in place for the length of the project.
Daniel Hennessy joins Abridged from the California Local News Fellowship. He’s a reporter covering Yolo County.