$45 million OK'd for Highway 101 bridges in Petaluma

The California Transportation Commission Thursday approved $45 million for rebuilding the Highway 101 bridges over the Petaluma River, a key part of the freeway widening work through Sonoma and Marin counties.

The $45 million is part of $123.5 million in Proposition 1B highway bond funds being allocated in Northern California. The money is from savings from projects coming in under estimates during the economic downturn.

The money will be used to replace two of the four separate bridges at the south edge of Petaluma. Two of the bridges are north and southbound structures that cross the river and two cross Highway 116.

The $45 million is designated for what is expected to be a $57 million replacement of the bridges over the river with wider structures that will allow carpool lanes.

The southbound bridge over Highway 116 has been replaced. A new northbound bridge will cost $35 million to $40 million, but funding has not been authorized.