The current Greenwood Creek Bridge, near Elk in Mendocino County, on Highway 1. Click to enlarge. Caltrans photo

A two-and-a-half-year, $20.5 million project to replace an ailing bridge on Highway 1 in Mendocino County is under way, and drivers can expect some traffic delays.

Caltrans spokesman Phil Frisbie Jr. said in a statement that the 56-year-old Greenwood Creek Bridge near Elk “is nearing the end of its service life” and ‘is in need of deck rehabilitation and rail replacement.” He said the creek’s channel shifted over the years and has exposed one of the footings for the bridge.

He said drivers should expect 10-minute delays while one-way traffic controls are in effect from 7 a.m. to 4 p.m. weekdays. In mid-April, temporary traffic lights will be put up and the one-way traffic control will be in place 24/7 until the project is completed, expected by fall 2014.

The new bridge will be wider and will include a 5-foot-wide walkway for pedestrians.

A Caltrans photo simulation shows what the new bridge will look like. Click to enlarge.

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