Jacobs’ Rapid Response Reopens Mt. Murphy Road Bridge, Reconnecting the Community

A critical transportation link in Northern California is back open following a swift, efficient repair process by Jacobs’ team. 

Located in the heart of the Marshall Gold Discovery State Park, the Mt. Murphy Road Bridge, which crosses the South Fork American River in Coloma, was closed January 12 after an impaired driver collided with it causing significant damage to one of the diagonal eye bar members. 

Following a call from our long-standing client, El Dorado County Department of Transportation, our team quickly mobilized and collaborated with International Inspection, a non-destructive testing subcontractor, to assess the damage. Using our collective experience, we conducted thorough testing of the damaged bar, which informed calculations and a comprehensive repair plan to get the bridge reopened in just ten days. 

This rapid response not only restored a crucial piece of infrastructure, but also reconnected access for pedestrians and vehicles – an estimated close to 300 people use the bridge daily to access resources throughout the connecting communities.

"The teamwork and dedication displayed by everyone involved was impressive,” says Jacobs Project Manager Robbie Coomes. “Several Jacobs design staff mobilized quickly to assess the damage, develop a repair plan and execute it in a short timeframe. Our dedicated teammates worked tirelessly behind the scenes, securing a subcontract and finalizing our safety plans even before the formal contract was in place. Together, these swift and efficient efforts have been instrumental in reopening this vital river crossing, much to the delight of both the community and our client.”