1.  Introduction and Summary

The proposed Noyo River Bridge fails to meet the basic requirement of the California Coastal Act for the protection of visual resources:

30251.  The scenic and visual qualities of coastal areas shall be considered and protected as a resource of public importance.  Permitted development shall be sited and designed to protect views to and along the ocean and scenic coastal areas to minimize alteration of natural land forms, to visually compatible with the character of surrounding areas, and, where feasible, to restore and enhance visual quality in visually degraded areas…

Failure to protect views to and along the ocean

Section 2 of my testimony documents the degradation of coastal views that be caused by the proposed bridge.  The existing bridge affords drivers and passengers striking views of the entrance and the inside of Noyo Harbor.  These harbor views are a unique resource of the north coast.  The proposed bridge would obliterate these views.

“See-through” railing no solution

At a September 16 meeting held by Caltrans in Fort Bragg, over 50 people objected in writing to the degradation in views that would be caused by the proposed bridge.  In response to these objections, Caltrans proposed changing the railing design to one that it terms a “see-through” railing.  Caltrans is strongly implying that their “see‑through” railing is the answer to the complaints about view degradation.  For instance, in a letter to me, Assemblymember Virginia Strom-Martin stated:

It appears that … the overwhelming concern at that time [the public meeting] was that the view from the bridge was being inhibited or blocked.  It is my understanding [emphasis added] the plans have been changed to accommodate an open rail design, provided the open rail meets necessary structural requirements.

Assemblymember Strom-Martin has been badly misled by someone. The supposed “see-through” railing is more properly termed a “see-nothing” railing.  Section 2 presents simulated views through the proposed “see-through” railing toward Noyo Harbor.  The harbor itself is invisible. Only a narrow slit of unidentifiable buildings can be seen.

Section 2B shows a picture and a schematic of the proposed “see-through” railing. The lack of visibility provided by the proposed railing is not surprising when one looks at its design.  It is more suited to stopping tanks than to providing an aesthetic complement to a scenic bridge.

Alternative design could provide safety and scenic views 

Caltrans has consistently stated that their design is the best that can be done, given the safety and other constraints under which they must operate.  Section 2 shows the simulated view from an alternative new design that maintains the present view from Noyo Bridge.  The alternative design places a safety barrier between the outside traffic lane and an 8’ pedestrian/bicycle lane, allowing the current railing design to be used without impairing safety.  Verticals could be added to the current railing design to enhance pedestrian and bicycle safety without impairing views from moving cars (which would not see the verticals).

Further degrades an already visually impaired area

The Coastal Act would like to see development, where feasible, “to restore and enhance visual quality in visually degraded areas.”  The existing motel and restaurant construction surrounding the Noyo Bridge has greatly degraded the scenic views from Noyo Bridge.  Rather than restoring and enhancing the degraded visual quality, the proposed Bridge will almost collide with these structures, greatly exaggerating their negative impact on the visual experience of crossing the Noyo Bridge.

The existing bridge is 34’ wide.  The proposed bridge is 88’ wide, taking up 27’ more of space on each side.  The edge of the proposed bridge will be within 12’ of the Cliff House and about 7’ of the North Cliff Hotel, and appears to go over a part of the Harbor Lite Lodge.

Out of scale with Highway 1 

The Caltrans design is that it is way out of scale with all other bridges on Highway 1.  Allowing one such bridge to be built on Highway 1 sets a dangerous precedent for future.  Highway 1 is special because it is small and built to the specifications of an earlier era of road building.  Every upgrading of the Highway degrades its scenic quality. 

Highway 1 will need to be upgraded over time to meet growing traffic, but the design goal for upgrades should be to meet traffic needs with the minimum possible changes in the character and scale of the road.  The proposed Noyo Harbor Bridge appears to aim for the maximum possible change in character and scale, given the size of the right of way.  

Conclusion

Caltrans should be denied permission to build the proposed Noyo Harbor Bridge.  Caltrans should be encouraged to redesign the bridge to reduce its size, lessen its impact on the surrounding area, and enhance the views from it.