Jack Peters Creek Bridge to Open to Two-Lane Traffic Friday Night
Temporary traffic signal to be removed tonight
A year and a half after Caltrans launched a $15.5 million project to widen the Jack Peters Creek Bridge on Highway 1, the project is complete, barring a handful of finishing touches.
Geoff Wright, an area construction engineer, said the temporary traffic signal is set to be removed Friday evening. Mendocino Coast reporter Frank Hartzell has been covering the story after a projected opening date proved overly optimistic.
“We were optimistic that we were going to be wrapped up a little bit sooner, but because of scheduling delays, subcontractor availability, materials availability, and some last-minute revisions to the final plans for the sidewalk, that did delay the completion,” Wright said.
The project included widening the bridge to accommodate two 12-foot-wide lanes, two 6-foot-wide shoulders, and a 6-foot-wide separated pedestrian walkway, as well as upgraded railings.
The walkway links the California Coastal Trail from County Road 5000 to Lansing Drive.
Since the project began in May 2024, coastal travelers have endured delays, along with periodic nightly closures that led some to take backroad detours and others to adjust their travel plans.
Wright said the new project will improve safety for drivers and pedestrians. “We think we have a great project that has improved pedestrian mobility and made it safer for pedestrians and bicyclists to get across the bridge,” Wright said. “I know it’s been a little bit of a challenge for those who have had to negotiate the signal.”
With the signal gone as of Saturday and the days of the warning sign for a narrow bridge up ahead numbered, the drive to Mendocino can unfurl without warnings or interruptions along this stretch of coast.