BUTTE COUNTY, Calif. — Caltrans announced Monday it has completed construction of the new Cottonwood Creek Bridge in Butte County.

The $15.3 million project includes $3.2 million in funding from Senate Bill (SB) 1, the Road Repair and Accountability Act of 2017.

The new bridge, located on State Route 99 north of the Thermalito Afterbay reservoir, replaces an aging structure damaged by erosion.

Over the years, swiftly moving water from Cottonwood Creek removed sediment around the bridge piers, compromising the integrity of the structure.

“The project is part of Caltrans’ effort to rehabilitate or replace several bridges in Butte County and neighboring Yuba and Sutter counties,” said Caltrans District 3 Director Amarjeet S. Benipal. “We’re continuing to honor our SB 1 commitments to all California travelers.”

In addition to building a new bridge, construction crews realigned a segment of roadway and widened the Nelson Avenue intersection at SR 99 by providing an additional left-turn lane onto eastbound lanes.

In the past two years, Caltrans has also upgraded the Western Canal Bridge on SR 99 in Butte County and replaced the SR 70 Simmerly Slough Bridge north of Marysville, the SR 20 Wadsworth Canal Bridge in Sutter County, and the SR 20 Dry Creek Bridge in Yuba County.

SB 1 provides $5 billion in transportation funding annually split between the state and local agencies. Road projects progress through construction phases more quickly based on the availability of SB 1 funds, including projects that are partially funded by SB 1.

For more information about other transportation projects funded by SB 1, visit rebuildingca.ca.gov.