SMART offering to give away Haystack Landing bridge over Petaluma River


Employees from Shimmick Construction work on replacing the Haystack Landing railroad bridge at the Petaluma River for Sonoma-Marin Area Rail Transit in February 2015. The project is expected to be finished in the fall. (BETH SCHLANKER/ PD FILE)

BY DEREK MOORE

THE PRESS DEMOCRAT

April 3, 2015

Sonoma-Marin Area Rail Transit is offering to give away the aging Haystack Landing railroad bridge in Petaluma to make way for a new span for the future commuter rail line.

The single-track, swing bridge was placed at its location over the Petaluma River near the current Highway 101 overpass in 1904 for use by the Northwestern Pacific Railroad.

But because the span does not fit SMART’s needs, the rail agency is seeking applicants to remove the historic span and relocate it, and in the future maintain it to its historical standards.

No surprise, the agency’s proposal notes that the project involves “technical difficulties” and “substantial costs.” Another consideration is the agency wants the span removed by mid-September.

SMART plans to launch commuter rail service at the end of next year. The replacement span at Haystack Landing will be a used drawbridge from Galveston, Texas.

Check back later for more on this story.

You can reach Staff Writer Derek Moore at 521-5336 or derek.moore@pressdemocrat.com. On Twitter @deadlinederek.