Oct. 22, 2007
PETALUMA, Calif. - Demolition of the Spurline Railroad Bridge starts Wednesday at 9 a.m., beginning the last phase of a critical flood control project which will protect hundreds of homes and businesses in Petaluma.
The demolition conducted by the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers and City of Petaluma is a major milestone as it s
ignifies the near completion of the Petaluma River Flood Control Project.
Media interested in interviews and viewing the demolition should call in advance for access to the construction site.
The Petaluma River frequently floods the Payran Street neighborhood in Petaluma where approximately 600 residential and commercial buildings are located within FEMA's 100-year floodplain.
"Under pre-project conditions, a portion of the river channel was at full capacity during a 5-year event," said Jay Kinberger, Corps of Engineers project manager. "A storm event in January 1982 resulted in flood depths of up to six feet and damages of roughly $28 million."
This long awaited project which endured several delays and funding problems will finally be completed soon. The removal of the railroad bridge will take away the last physical barrier towards flood protection.
Once gone, the remaining work will be minimal and includes channel excavation and installation of a steel sheet-pile floodwall along both sides of the river channel.