Work on the project began in August and included construction of a temporary ramp and beach area to allow heavy equipment access, extensive in-water operations and the use of dive teams to safely cut and remove debris. 

AUBURN, CA (MPG) - Placer County leaders were joined by members of the community group Protect American River Canyons in Auburn on Jan. 12 to celebrate the completion of the American River Debris Removal Project, a complex effort that removed 450 tons of steel and more than 600 cubic yards of concrete remnants of the old state Route 49 bridge that was washed out in a 1964 flood.

As part of Monday’s event, the project contractor removed a long-standing warning sign from the state Route 49 bridge that had cautioned visitors for decades about hazardous concrete and metal debris below the river’s surface.

The debris remained after the 1964 flood, when plans for the Auburn Dam, a project that never came to fruition, would have submerged the material hundreds of feet underwater.

At the request of Protect American River Canyons, Placer County officials and District 5 Supervisor Cindy Gustafson worked with the office of former state Sen. Brian Dahle, who helped secure $8 million in state funding in 2023. Caltrans later transferred the funds to the county Department of Public Works to oversee the project.

“Today, you wouldn’t even know the debris was ever there. I’m extremely proud of the efforts made to remove this debris and make the American River safer for our community and visitors,” District 5 Supervisor Cindy Gustafson said. “This was a complex project, and a great example of local government agencies working together with dedicated community volunteers and the State to benefit the community and our natural resources.”

Work on the project began in August and included construction of a temporary ramp and beach area to allow heavy equipment access, extensive in-water operations and the use of dive teams to safely cut and remove debris. Coordinated trail, river and roadway closures were implemented throughout construction.

“This was a complex operation that required careful planning and execution,” said Cheyenne Toney, senior civil engineer for Placer County. “Our goal was to remove the debris in a safe, environmentally responsible way and restore the river corridor so it looks like the hazards were never here. We are very pleased with the result.”

The celebration also marked the official reopening of the Calcutta Falls Trailhead on state Route 49 leading to No Hands Bridge. The popular trail had been closed throughout construction due to its location within the active work zone.