News.bytes Extra, issue 498

Bizz Johnson ARRA project receives environmental award

A project to rebuild an historic railroad trestle on the Bizz Johnson National Recreation Trail has received an environmental excellence award from the Federal Highway Administration. The project, completed last fall, was funded by the American  Recovery and Reinvestment Act.

Above, the trestle as it appeared after being badly damaged in a 2001 wildfire.  Below, cyclists prepare to cross the newly remodeled span.

The 70-foot tall, 270-foot-long trestle is an icon of the recreational trail.  It dates to 1914 and carried logging, freight and passenger trains until 1956.  The repair project included reconstruction of the destroyed east end, repainting, redecking and re-railing the entire span. A new interpretive panel was installed to explain to visitors the historic significance of the bridge.

The award was one of 12 presented nationwide.  Winning projects were recognized for building partnerships, meeting environmental challenges, enhancing interagency coordination and achieving environmental excellence.

Jeff Fontana, Public Affairs Officer, BLM Northern California District, 9/13/11

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