Coloma's Mount Murphy Road Bridge--as it happens, the only bridge in Coloma proper--once was hailed as the first covered bridge in California. Actually, it still can be hailed that way, even if the bridge itself washed away long ago. Happily, it was rebuilt, sans cover, circa 1919.
As part of the Mount Murphy Bridge emergency repair project, the El Dorado County Department of Transportation announced that the bridge, near Coloma, will be closed intermittently this month for deck repairs.
The second version remains a slender one-lane wonder and a persistent, bucolic reminder of our gold-rush glory days. Of course, the best way to appreciate the bridge is from below, gliding comfortably along the placid stretch of the American River's south fork, which it traverses.
Motorists can expect 20-minute delays between 9 a.m. and 5 p.m. Tuesday through Friday, as well as Oct. 12 and Oct. 15-19.
The bridge is to be completely closed from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. Oct. 8 -11, although transportation officials said in a news release that it could be open Oct. 10 and 11 if work planned for that period can be completed in the first two days.
River rafters are advised to use caution and to stay on the southwestern side of the river when going under the bridge.
For more information, contact Tom Celio, deputy director for maintenance, (530) 642-4909.
Best bridge to another era
TRAFFIC ALERT
EL DORADO COUNTY
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE Date: September 26, 2007
Tom Celio, Deputy Director Maintenance (530) 642-4909
MT. MURPHY BRIDGE EMERGENCY REPAIR: DELAYS AND CLOSURES EXPECTED
20-MINUTE DELAYS EXPECTED
ON OCTOBER 2, 3, 4, and 5, 2007 AND
ON OCTOBER 12, 15, 16, 17, 18 and 19, 2007
As part of the Mt. Murphy Bridge Emergency Repair Project, Mt. Murphy Bridge will be
intermittently closed for bridge deck repairs. The closure is scheduled for 20 minute
delays during the hours of 9 a.m. until 5 p.m. on October 2, 3, 4 and 5, 2007 and again
on October 12, 15, 16, 17, 18 and 19, 2007.
THE BRIDGE WILL BE COMPLETELY CLOSED ON
OCTOBER 8, 9, 10 and 11, 2007 from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m.
The bridge repairs will cause the closure of the bridge for 6 hours on October 8, 9, 10
and 11, 2007. This closure will be from 9 a.m. until 3 p.m. each of these 4 days. It is
possible that the work will be completed in two days (Oct. 8 & 9, 2007), but this is the
anticipated worst case scenario in case repairs take longer than expected.
All River Rafters should take caution when going under the Mt. Murphy Bridge while
repairs are being completed during this time period. If at all possible, stay to the
southwestern side of the river when going under the bridge.
