Project Update
The construction of the Yankee Jims Bridge Replacement Project is scheduled to begin in April 2025. The County is currently awaiting final approvals from Caltrans and the Federal Highway Administration (FHWA) and anticipates that construction will commence at the beginning of April. Once the exact start date is confirmed, this webpage will be updated with the relevant details.
Please be advised that Yankee Jims Road will be CLOSED to all public traffic between Gillis Hill Road and Shirttail Canyon Road once construction begins. Although whitewater boaters will still be able to access the river between Iowa Hill Road and Ponderosa Road, please note that no pull-out or shore access will be available at the Yankee Jims area for the remainder of 2025. Starting in February 2026, boating access will be available exclusively from the Foresthill side of the river, between February and June. The Colfax side of the river will remain CLOSED to all public traffic until the project’s anticipated completion, expected in late 2027 or early 2028.
Project Description
Placer County Department of Public Works, in cooperation with the Federal Highway Administration and Caltrans, proposes to build a new arch suspension bridge adjacent to the existing Yankee Jims Bridge over the North Fork American River. The existing bridge is structurally deficient based on a Caltrans Bridge Inspection, which prohibits emergency vehicles from using the bridge. The new bridge will improve emergency access and provide a safer evacuation route between Colfax and Foresthill. The existing Yankee Jims Bridge will be kept in place.
A Notice of Preparation for a Draft Environmental Impact Report, in compliance with the California Environmental Quality Act, was held for the project in February of 2020. At this time two alternatives were being considered, a steel plate girder bridge and an arch suspension bridge. Since this time, the project team has completed a comprehensive analysis and ultimately selected the arch suspension bridge as the preferred alternative.
Key Project Elements
Construct a new two-lane arch bridge over the North Fork American River and retrofit the existing Yankee Jims Bridge for temporary construction access
Complete minor intermittent improvements along Yankee Jims Road to allow for construction access
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Provide an unpaved parking lot and stairway access down to the river (northeast of the existing Yankee Jims Bridge)
Complete the bridge with the least amount of environmental impacts and with the addition of environmental mitigation
Project Progress
Project Lookahead
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Spring 2024 - Continue Design and Environmental Permitting Efforts
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Summer 2024 - Complete Final Design and Final NEPA Documentation
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Summer 2024 - Secure Environmental Permits
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Fall 2024 - Mobilize for Construction
