Bridge Replacement To Close Chiles Pope Valley Road

NAPA COUNTY, CA — Construction starts Monday on a bridge replacement project on Chiles Pope Valley Road and is expected to take around eight months to complete, the Napa County Public Works Department said Friday.

The bridge to be replaced is 6 miles east of St. Helena on Chiles Pope Valley Road and 2.2 miles from the intersection at state Highway 128.

Starting Monday, March 11, and continuing to Sunday, March 24, one-lane traffic control will be in place. A temporary traffic signal will control traffic until Monday, March 25, when Chiles Pope Valley Road will be closed at the bridge to all public traffic. Signage will direct travelers to a 4-mile-long detour route on Highway 128 and Lower Chiles Pope Valley Road.

Public Works officials expect to reopen Chiles Pope Valley Road to all traffic on Nov. 1 but said that date could change depending on weather or unforeseen conditions.

The long-term road closure is necessary for the safety of the public and work crews. It is also required under environmental permits for the project.

Public Works officials said they will work in close coordination with emergency services throughout the project.

$11M Project Mostly Funded By Federal Highway Administration

This existing bridge on Chiles Pope Valley Road over Chiles Creek will be replaced with a new 26-foot-wide by 105-foot-long cast-in-place, prestressed bridge. The new bridge will safely accommodate the traveling public for the foreseeable future and provide a minimum of two 11-foot by 11-foot travel lanes above Chiles Creek, with new guardrails and pavement rehabilitation on the bridge and the adjacent roadway, according to Jim Reese, project manager.

See the project webpage here.

The project is $11 million, 88.53 percent — or $9.77 million — of which is being funded by the Federal Highway Administration. The remaining 11.47 percent — or $1.27 million — will be paid by Napa County general funds.

"Napa County thanks you for your patience while this critical bridge replacement is constructed," Reese said.

Questions or concerns? Reese can be reached via emial at James.Reese@countyofnapa.org or by phone at 707-259-8281.