Placer County to host informational open house for Yankee Jims Bridge project on Oct. 10

Published Oct. 3, 2023

The Placer County’s Public Works Department is hosting an information night on the future of Yankee Jims Bridge on Oct. 10 from 5:30 to 7:30 p.m. in the Planning Commission chambers (3091 County Center Drive, Auburn). 

Engineers and environmental experts will be on hand to answer questions about the project and its impact on residents. 

The county is in the planning phase of a new bridge construction project that will retire the historic Yankee Jims Bridge between Colfax and Foresthill, over the north fork of the American River.

Yankee Jims Bridge was built in the 1930s and has a total load capacity of 3 tons, or 6,000 pounds. The one-lane bridge has served its rural community well, but is now considered to be structurally deficient, as it is unable to accommodate many modern vehicles and life-saving emergency vehicles. 

Due to its historic nature, Yankee Jims Bridge will remain in place. A new two-lane suspension bridge is planned to be built just downstream. 

Watch the video above more insight into the history of Yankee Jims Bridge and the new bridge being planned.