City to Get New Bridge Near Downtown

A new bridge will soon connect North Water Street to Lakeville Street, providing an important access point for cyclists and pedestrians seeking a safe way to travel between East and West Petaluma.

Called Copeland Crossing, the 140-foot steel bridge will be installed this Thursday and is part of the Downtown River Access and Enhancement Plan, aimed at increasing recreational opportunities on and access to the Petaluma River.

“There is currently a big gap in the trail system and this is an important step to closing that and providing access to Lakeville and onto to the Lynch Creek Trail,” said Erica Ahmann Smithies, an engineer with the city in charge of the project.

The all-weather bridge is being shipped from Olancha, Calif. and will arrive in town on Wednesday. The cost? $1.4 million, most of which will be paid with funds from Measure M, the quarter-cent sales tax measure approved in 2004.

However, the city still needs to acquire property rights to access easements next to the river and is reportedly in talks with several businesses on North Water Street.

What do you think of the new bridge? Are you a cyclist who will benefit from this new connector?