Public Invited To Celebrate Bridgeport Covered Bridge Groundbreaking

Ceremony to be held on Tuesday, September 2nd at Noon at the Bridge entrance

The public is invited to attend the Groundbreaking Ceremony on Tuesday, September 2, 2014 at the entrance to the Bridgeport Covered Bridge. The celebration will mark the start of construction to stabilize the longest single span wood covered bridge left in the world located in the South Yuba River State Park.

To celebrate this long awaited day, the Save Our Bridge Committee has organized a Groundbreaking Ceremony to be held in front of the Bridge at noon (12PM) with local officials, State Park staff and other community leaders instrumental in the effort to save the Bridge.

“That work to restore and reopen our beloved bridge will commence on the day after Labor Day is an auspicious moment. Working with the dedicated members of the Save Our Bridge Committee has been a labor of love and a testament to what we can do when we unite as a community,” said Caleb Dardick, Executive Director of the South Yuba River Citizens League.

The $1.5 million stabilization and restoration project has two phases. In Phase I, contractors will stabilize the bridge so no further damage to the structure will occur. This work is scheduled to be completed by December 30, 2014. Phase II will include the repair and restoration of the bridge so that it is sound, safe and reopened to the public. The planning, permitting and engineering work necessary for Phase II is scheduled to begin in the 2014-2015 State budget year.

“Thanks to the huge outpouring of community support and leadership of our elected officials at the State, County and municipal levels, this project is now moving forward and funding for both phases of construction has been achieved,” said Doug Moon, Chair of the Save Our Bridge Committee.

Since the Bridge was closed in 2011, a coalition of bridge advocates has worked together to mobilize the community. The work culminated in a grassroots campaign that generated hundreds of letters, calls and emails that flooded the State Capitol. In addition, local elected officials and community leaders made multiple pilgrimages to Sacramento to advocate for this iconic historic structure built in 1862.

For more information about the Bridge, please visit: www.southyubariverstatepark.org