" I think it has been something like 14 months to install a pre-fab bridge by the bus station. This could take 14 years. "

" Really wish they would keep the design of this newest bridge in line with our other bridges. There is a wonderful old town unity with the current designs. Suppose Copia and new hotel builder want something more contemporary. I don't much care for the modern design I saw in the local paper. "

" I agree with rogers, if this bridge doesent match the design of the other bridges recently done its ridiculous.

But I quess that would be just another example of the incompetence of the people running things in this town. "

" seems like a while!! it will go by though. i hope its like the other bridges too. "

" The other bridges are in a totally different situation. I am excited to see the new one and get a glimpse of the river, for a change. It's in our neighborhood so hold your outrage! 14 months seems like a tidy schedule and I trust the city's efforts to get it done. It's so nice to see some LIFE in this town. We are SO lucky to call this our home. "

" What does it look like, where's the picture or is that in tomorrow's paper? "

" There is more information about the bridge replacement, including images, on the front page at www dot cityofnapa dot org. "

" justmy$.02: Maybe it's the past leaders that have been incompetent. It seems to me that the current group has done a pretty fantastic job of turning downtown Napa around. I moved to Napa County in 1999 and was a visitor for 10 years prior to that. There was no reason for me to ever go downtown. Now there's no reason for me to go anywhere else. Try looking at the world from a different perspective. You might find it more enjoyable. "

" Did you see the someone tagged the new $25 million Veterans Park last night. You would think for that price they could have installed some cameras. "

" nwnapan, How about I look at it from the perspective of a local whos been here for over 30 years (and that aint much compared to some)? All I see is big money development (mostly out-of-towners). Granted there is potential for downtown to be rejuveinated if the river walk concept pans out (it wont be a San Antonio, but could be successful).
But again, hotels, hotels, hotels, and high end brand new homes is all I see coming out of the city council.
What are they doing about gangs?
What are they doing about our roads?
What are they doing about our schools?
What are they doing about local jobs beyond hospitality services?
What are they doing about ILLEGAL IMMIGRATION beyond shutting down fruit stands?
What are they really doing for the average Napan?
Speaking from the perspective of an average Napan I dont see much. :( "

" I agree with "Just My 2 Cents" We need to vote Jill Techel out of office in the upcoming citywide elections. All she has promoted is more and more hotels, parking garages, and flaked out of a campaign promise to repave our streets.
All the city government is doing is catering to the eliete and tourism not giving a hoot in heck for the Napa citizen. I for one am tired of it and will vote for change in the next election. "

" What is the "additional $97,000" for? "

" 14 months to build a two lane bridge? what kind of engineer did yousay you were Jason Holley? a lego engineer? or was that an erector set?

obviuosly back when engineers were really engineers, they built real bridges that stand the test of time in less time. after all the GOLDEN GATE BRIDGE only took 3 years to reach completion and it was built in the 30's... THE 1930s! so how does this piddley little bridge of two lanes and maybe 150ft length take so long? did you need to borrow some of my kids erector set parts?

what a joke; 14 months... babies take less time than that from womb to walking... H.. E.. double hockey sticks (for those following along that's two L's)! babies do not even take that long to brew in the womb! 14 months.... "

" Justmy$.02 is right!

Then again I have a sidewalk that hasn't been filled in in the 25 years my wife has owned the house soooo...I guess it takes 5 years to fill a pothole, 25 years for missing concrete on a street,.maybe 10 years per needed stop sign!

14 months on a tiny bridge is a bargain! "

" It's unclear to me why "someguyinnapa" feels the need to insult a trained and qualified engineer. It's uncalled for. I am happy to try and provide some information on the topic. Here are two things to consider:
1. Four of the major bridge replacements in Napa in the last few years have involved "in-water" work. To protect migrating fish and the river ecology, there are strict rules about when the water can be disturbed. As a result, construction in-water can only occur for 4-5 months of the year. The restriction causes these bridge projects to take a lot more time. There was no EPA or CEQA when the Golden Gate Bridge was built.
2. Heavy construction can often be completed in a short amount of time if you have large amounts of money to apply to the effort. For example, the rapid reconstruction at the MacArthur Maze after the recent accident and fire - or fast repairs to Southern California highways after the Northridge quake - that work was done in a very short time but at a very great cost. Our local bridge replacements have not had that kind of emergency funding, which would not be appropriate for this kind of project.

There have been a number of other comments on this story on various topics. I don't have enough words left to write more, so if anyone has questions about this project I can be reached directly at 258-7843 or bmartin at cityofnapa dot org. It's my job to provide public information so I will be happy to answer your questions. "

" Man, whinerville, USA. This town has a lot of romance a seedy, rotten past "for the locals." Alturas, Susanville, Oroville, Redding await you.

Thanks for weathering all this nonsense, Barry. "