Caulfield Bridge Crosstown Connector
Project Description
The Caulfield Bridge Crosstown Connector Project will construct a new 500-foot drawbridge over the Petaluma River, connecting Crystal Lane at Petaluma Boulevard South to Caulfield Lane at Bautista Way for people walking, bicycling, and driving. The Caulfield Bridge would provide more direct access between southeast and southwest Petaluma and a safe and convenient crossing for those wishing to walk, bike, roll, or drive across town. The bridge would also help to relieve traffic congestion on existing crosstown connectors, such as D and E. Washington Streets, and improve emergency response times.
Let Us Know What You Think! Take Our Survey Today
Please take our online survey today (links below) to help inform our bridge design and amenities. The survey will be open until November 19.
Project Updates
Thanks for Joining Us at Our Open House October 17; Project Survey Available Through November 19
Thanks for joining us at our Open House on October 17! Our project team is working to compile and summarize all of the feedback we received regarding the bridge design, amenities, and bicycle/pedestrian accommodations. If you haven't yet, please be sure to take our project survey:
Open House Materials
Sign-Up for Project Updates
Please use the form below to sign-up for email updates and share feedback:
PREVIOUS UPDATES
City Council Authorizes Next Phase of Work for Caulfield Bridge
May 15, 2023 - City Council unanimously approved a resolution authorizing the City Manager to execute a Professional Services Agreement with Mark Thomas, Inc., an engineering firm based out of San Jose with extensive experience designing complex public works projects, including several moveable bridges in the Sacramento area.
The Agreement includes all remaining work needed to bring the project to shovel-ready status, including community outreach, environmental and other regulatory approvals and permits, and engineering/design.
Materials
Feasibility Report for Caulfield Bridge Completed
November 22, 2021 - AECOM submitted its feasibility report to the City, which included 1) confirmation of the Caulfield Bridge footprint, 2) preliminary feedback from US Coast Guard, 3) confirmation that the necessary right-of-way is available to build the bridge, 4) potential floodway impacts, 5) preliminary engineering assessments, and 6) an environmental review/permitting strategy. AECOM's report recommended a double-leaf bridge and produced a $48.5 million cost estimate (assuming a construction start date in 2025/26).
PROJECT HISTORY
In an effort to improve and create crosstown connections to overcome the City's three major physical barriers--the River, the Sonoma-Marin Area Rail Transit railroad tracks, and US Highway 101--the City has long envisioned a new "Southern Crossing" that would connect its southwest and southeast. An early study evaluating river crossing alternatives was completed in 2006, with the proposed Caulfield alignment chosen based on its anticipated 1) cost-effectiveness and 2) compatibility with established City rights-of-way and avoidance of impacts on developed private properties.
The City's General Plan 2025, adopted in 2008, calls for the addition of two new crosstown connectors, including the Caulfield Bridge/Southern Crossing, in order to mitigate increased traffic anticipated from population and job growth. It also recognizes the importance that a new crossing would play in facilitating mobility for all modes of travel, as well as emergency response.
Project Manager
Bjorn Griepenburg, Project Manager
Tentative Timeline
- Environmental Review, Design, & Permitting (In Progress): 2023 - 2025*
- Bridge Fabrication & Installation: 2025 - 2027*
- Bridge Opening: 2028*
*All dates are tentative and subject to design considerations, funding, and project approvals:
Funding
The Environmental Review, Design, and Permitting phase is funded through developer contributions and traffic mitigation impact fees. The construction phase would require additional funding from undetermined sources, potentially including grants and impact fees.