Mendocino’s Historic Albion River Bridge Faces Replacement Battle

Along Highway 1 on the Mendocino Coast, the Albion River Bridge rises 150 feet above the water, its weathered wooden trusses forming one of California’s last timber trestle crossings. Built in 1944 during World War II, when steel and concrete were scarce, it remains the only wooden trestle bridge left on the highway, and a landmark deeply tied to the identity of the small community of Albion.

But Caltrans says the bridge is in “poor and deteriorating condition,” citing rotting timber, corroded bolts, and seismic vulnerability. After more than a decade of study, the state announced a $136 million plan to replace it with a modern open-spandrel arch bridge. Construction could begin in 2028, with the new span opening in 2031.

Locals aren’t ready to let it go. The Albion Bridge Stewards, formed in 2017, argue that with proper maintenance the bridge can continue to serve safely. To them, it’s not just infrastructure, it’s an emblem of Albion’s history and economic future, drawing visitors to the Mendocino Coast.

“Everybody knows that a sign doesn’t drive tourists,” said Jim Heid of the Stewards to SFGate, dismissing Caltrans’ proposal for an interpretive exhibit as inadequate. “People will stop and take a picture of a beautiful historic bridge.”

The fight underscores the tension between preservation and safety. Caltrans insists replacement is prudent; residents see the bridge as irreplaceable. For now, the Albion River Bridge still carries traffic and stands as a symbol of coastal resilience, but its future remains uncertain.