The existing Albion River Bridge was constructed in 1944 during World War II and is 969 feet long and 28.5 feet wide. In an effort to conserve concrete and steel materials for the war effort, the original proposed concrete arch structure design was abandoned, and the bridge was redesigned using timber predominantly. The bridge is composed of timber stringer spans with a two-ply timber deck and an asphalt concrete (AC) riding surface supported by a timber A-frame deck truss and timber towers. The tower footings are supported by either concrete piles or untreated timber piles. The main span is a riveted steel deck truss—which was salvaged from an old bridge located on the South Fork of the Feather River—supported by reinforced concrete tower bents over the Albion River. The Albion River Bridge was listed on the National Register of Historic Places and the California Register of Historic Resources in 2017.
Caltrans uses the Construction Manager General Contractor (CM/GC) Design and Construction Method. This method involves Granite Construction early in the design process to incorporate the contractor’s perspective in the project planning process. This method provides more innovation, efficiency, and savings opportunities than traditional project delivery methods.