A ribbon cutting by city officials on April 5 marked the opening of Calistoga's new Pioneer Park Bridge.
In January, workers put final touches on the new Pioneer Park Bridge that spans the Napa River in Calistoga.
The old bridge leading from Pioneer Park to the Community Center is prone to flooding and hampers fish flow. With completion of the new elevated bridge, the old one will be removed sometime this summer.
In a large step towards making Calistoga an even more walkable, pedestrian-friendly community, the new Pioneer Park Bridge is officially open and ready for use.
The 110-foot pedestrian bridge spans the Napa River connecting Pioneer Park with the Community Center and the downtown area, and replaces the low concrete crossing, which was prone to flooding during the rainy season. The new elevated bridge complies with the Americans with Disabilities Act and offers a safer and wider crossing.
Before cutting the ribbon on Monday, Mayor Chris Canning thanked the many individuals and organizations that made the project possible including the past and current city councils, the public works department, the late Dieter Deiss, the Calistoga Active Transportation Committee and many others involved in the project.
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Along with providing a wider and safer crossing, the new bridge will also improve conditions for fish habitat.
The old concrete bridge was constructed most likely in the 1950s or ’60s, when building regulations were not nearly as rigorous as they are now, said Public Works Director Derek Rayner. The old concrete barrier will be removed sometime this summer.
Adjacent to the bridge, Calistoga’s AT&T Pedestrian Pathway is now underway, with a downtown pathway along the bank of the Napa River that will connect the pathway to the bridge and Lincoln Avenue. Work on the pathway will most likely be completed by mid-to late summer.
WATCH NOW: NAPA RIVER RISES FOLLOWING STORMS, FLOODING
Napa sisters Carol Frommelt and Gail Randol pick up trash while they walk the Napa River trail, nearly every other day. They've been doing this for at least 10 years, said the sisters.
SEE PHOTOS AS THE NAPA RIVER RISES FOLLOWING FLOODING
Photos: Napa River rises following storms; flooding in Napa County
Napa River rises
Water levels crept into flooding territory on the Napa River on Wednesday morning. The flood control project prevented damage by channeling high water into a bypass and an expanded creek channel.
Drone Riverfront flooding
The view of the Napa River at the Riverfront, south of Third Street, Wednesday morning.
Napa County flooding
Zinfandel Bridge
Napa River rises
Waters peaked Wednesday morning in the Oxbow Bypass.
Drone view of Napa River at Oxbow Public market
A drone view of the swollen Napa River behind Oxbow Public Market on Wednesday morning.
Drone, First and Soscol
A drone shot of Soscol Avenue at First Street on Wednesday morning.
Drone, river and bypass behind Oxbow
A view of the Napa River behind Oxbow Public Market on Wednesday morning as the river hit flood stage. The flood bypass channel, on the right, delivered water that otherwise would have spilled into downtown, around the oxbow and back to the river.
Napa County flooding
Conn Dam spillway as seen on Wednesday, Feb. 27.
Zinfandel Lane Vineyard flooding
Zinfandel Lane vineyard
Napa River rises
Mobile homes at the RiverPoint development on Lincoln Avenue were moved to higher ground near the entrance as the Napa River rose Tuesday night and Wednesday morning.
Napa River rises
A trail and bench were swallowed by rising waters on the Napa River behind the RiverPointe development, where mobile homes were moved from their usual sites toward the Lincoln Avenue entrance amid a flood warning in parts of the city.
Napa River rises
Pathways into the Oxbow Commons remained closed Wednesday morning as rising waters from the Napa River filled the flood relief channel in the downtown area.
Napa River rises
Steady rains early Wednesday morning drove up the level of the Napa River near the RiverPointe mobile home park, where a nearby driveway was covered by 8 inches of water at about 4 a.m. before the water began receding.
Napa River rises
The entry into the Oxbow Pass at Soscol Avenue and First Street remained closed Wednesday evening, as water continued to flow through the flood-relief channel in downtown Napa.
Silverado Trail closure 2/27
Silverado Trail was closed between Zinfandel Lane to Pope Street because of this fallen tree on Wednesday morning, according to the California Highway Patrol.
Silverado Trail flooded at Oak Knoll 2/27
A California Highway Patrol officer shows his view of a flooded portion of Silverado Trail, north of Oak Knoll, on Wednesday morning.
You can reach Cynthia Sweeney at 942-4035 or csweeney@weeklycalistogan.com.
Cynthia Sweeney
The Weekly Calistogan Editor
Cynthia Sweeney has been editor of The Weekly Calistogan since July, 2018. Previously, she was a reporter for the St. Helena Star, and North Bay Business Journal. She also spent a significant amount of time freelancing in Hawaii.
