A driver has been injured after a bridge collapsed directly under a vehicle. According to the Mendocino Voice, the incident happened on a bridge above the Eel River in rural California.
The incident occurred on Friday, June 12 at around 9:00 pm local time. The California Highway Patrol said that officers from their Ukiah office responded to the scene.
They explained that it had ended up completely collapsing, overturning the vehicle. The driver suffered minor injuries because of the incident.
The statement also included a warning to drivers that they should avoid the area. The bridge mainly serves the Round Valley Indian Tribes and is located in Round Valley. It also serves as a possible route into the Mendocino National Forest.
There are several unknowns in this case. No one is sure how long the crossing is going to end up staying closed. The Mendocino Coast News reported that there are several other routes for emergency services to take.
However, the lack of a bridge in its position could cause delays and other complications, especially in terms of wildfire responses.
The CHP hasn't given any details about whether it is in a repairable state. They also didn't mention whether its rebuilding is a priority.
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County Authorities Were Looking to Replace the Bridge
But, according to the outlet, this is some really bad timing. The bridge, affectionately known as the "Green Bridge" by locals, was well known to be failing. It was originally built over 100 years ago, with reports of its existence dating back to 1925.
The outlet reported that the county had received federal funding to replace the bridge... back in 2012. They received around $600,000 for the replacement project. But the right-of-way planning permissions weren't granted until 2024.
And it was only last week that Mendocino County transport officials were arguing that the bridge needed replacing. However, there was some opposition from locals, who said that it should have been designated and protected as a historical site.
In any case, we're glad that there weren't any more serious injuries involved. We hope that the bridge is eventually rebuilt!
