Ten Mile

Urge Changes in the proposed Ten Mile Bridge
Deadline Extended!
(MUST BE RECEIVED BY MIDNIGHT TUESDAY NOVEMBER 8, 2005)

Ten Mile Bridge is located in a rural, ecologically sensitive, and scenically beautiful location.

The replacement bridge proposed by Caltrans is completely out of character and scale, lacks a protected sidewalk, and uses a railing that obscures views and lacks any grace or historic character.

The 8' shoulders will give the bridge the appearance of a high-speed expressway, rather than a scenic bridge on a rural road.

The lack of a sidewalk will endanger local people and those using the Coastal Trail.

A sidewalk with a protective rail on the inner, traffic side would be much safer. A newly designed outer pedestrian rail would be more aesthetic and less visually obtrusive to motorists and, especially pedestrians and bicyclists.

Below is a letter you can use to support preserving the rural character and scenic vistas of coastal Highway 1. If you are familiar with the North Coast, please edit the letter to include your own thoughts.

Be sure to fill in your name and contact information.

Your comments on the project will be sent to the California Coastal Commissioner and will be distributed to all Commissioners.

Dear Commissioners: Preserving the scenic values and the historic, rural character of coastal Highway 1 is very important to me. The Ten Mile Bridge is in an especially scenic and ecologically rich area. I urge you to require Caltrans to amend the Ten Mile Bridge replacement project to: 1. Provide a sidewalk protected by an ST-10 railing. 2. Design a new outer pedestrian rail that includes arches. 3. Narrow the shoulders from 8 feet to 4 feet. I urge that you require Caltrans to include these elements on all future coastal Highway 1 bridges. Thank you for your consideration. Sincerely,

First:
Last:
Street:
City: State: Zip:
E-Mail: [To acknowledge your help and avoid repeat mailings.]

Please don't send more than one letter, unless you find an error. Only your last letter will be retained, but processing duplicates takes extra time.

For detailed support of the recommended amendments, see my Ten Mile Bridge testimony to the Coastal Commission (requires free Adobe Acrobat Reader). Caltrans arguments for 8' shoulders are completely unsupportable, based on an analysis of state and national design standards, design exceptions, and accident data.

The Coastal Commission staff report on the Ten Mile Bridge is at:
www.coastal.ca.gov/cd/W20b-11-2005.pdf. There is a long, tortured attempt to rationalize the acceptability of 8' shoulders on pages 17-22. It is not convincing.

The Ten Mile Bridge is part of a campaign, so far successful, to preserve scenic views on bridges along coastal Highway 1. Find out more.

Thank you for helping to preserve our wonderful coast.

Vince Taylor

Urge Changes in the proposed Ten Mile Bridge Deadline Extended! (MUST BE RECEIVED BY MIDNIGHT TUESDAY NOVEMBER 8, 2005)

First: Last: Street: City: State: Zip: E-Mail: [To acknowledge your help and avoid repeat mailings.]

Urge Changes in the proposed Ten Mile Bridge
Deadline Extended!
(MUST BE RECEIVED BY MIDNIGHT TUESDAY NOVEMBER 8, 2005)

First:
Last:
Street:
City: State: Zip:
E-Mail: [To acknowledge your help and avoid repeat mailings.]