Asti bridge crossing likely to remain in summer only

Chances are looking slim for making a temporary summer bridge across the Russian River permanent.

Results of an unofficial special election found only 42 percent of the residents were in favor of creating an assessment district to pay for a crossing near Asti, south of Cloverdale, that could be used year round. Almost 55 percent were opposed.

The Washington School Road crossing makes it easier to access the east side of river, but the bridge is removed at the end of fire season in anticipation of rising waters. There's been a temporary bridge there since 1938, according to county officials, and for decades there has been interest in keeping it open for a longer period of time.

Funding and grants for such projects have dried up, according to Sonoma County officials.

Area residents were polled by the county as to whether they wished to tax themselves to pay for a higher, longer bridge that could potentially be in place year-round.

But even supporters of an assessment district conceded the $3 million price tag was daunting when split among the 250 surrounding properties.

The estimated assessment was $1,100 annually per residential parcel for 20 years and $1,400 for commercial parcels.

It needed two-thirds voter approval to proceed to a formal election, which would have required the same margin to be implemented.

The preferred project would have added about 400 feet to the existing bridge with the potential to stay in place as long as the water did not rise to within 4 feet of the structure.

North County Supervisor Mike McGuire said a subcommittee of residents will remain in place to look at long-term options for the summer crossing.

"If there is a will in the community, we will find a way to extend the season of the Asti summer crossing," said McGuire, who took a neutral stance on the assessment district question. "Any option that is going to be be explored is going to mean dollars being spent. That is why we are going to need to go back to the drawing board and develop a Plan B."

Andrew Grose, a resident who favored the assessment district to pay for a more permanent structure, said "I don't think it's hopeless."

As the economy improves, he said there could be government money found to help pay for it.

McGuire noted the Asti summer crossing remains an important issue to the residents living along River Road and in the hills east of the river.

The crossing reduces by up to 15 minutes the response times for mutual aid emergency responders coming from the south.

Without the crossing, ambulances and fire engines from Healdsburg or Geyserville, for example, have to head north on Highway 101 to Cloverdale before doubling back to the south on the opposite side of the river.

Meanwhile the Asti crossing is scheduled for removal next week, according to McGuire, but as usual it will be reinstalled in late spring and be in place through the summer and late fall.

You can reach Staff Writer Clark Mason at 521-5214 or clark.mason@pressdemocrat.com