Kings River Viaduct
The Kings River Complex is a planned series of bridges carrying California High-Speed Rail over the Kings River in Fresno County and Kings County, California. The complex site is between the Fresno and Kings–Tulare stations, roughly four miles east of Laton and eight north of Hanford.[1]
The Kings River consists of three widely separated river channels in the vicinity of the crossing: from north to south, these are Cole Slough, Dutch John Cut, and the Old Kings River. Cole Slough and the Old River separate at the People's Weir, the largest weir in the Kings River system. The Old River was the main course of the river until two floods in 1861 and 1867, the first of which created Cole Slough and the second of which caused it to become the river's new main course. Since then the Old River has been dry except when river flows are exceptionally high. Dutch John Cut diverges from Cole Slough and joins the Old River to reform the main channel of the Kings River.[2]
The Kings River Complex is part of Construction Package 2-3.[3] The initial 2014 plans called for an 11,680-foot-long concrete viaduct, with four truss bridge spans for the three river channels and Riverside Ditch.[1] During the bid process in 2016, the land portions were changed to embankments containing wildlife crossings, reducing the estimated cost by $79 million. At that time construction was expected to commence in spring 2017 and be completed in 2019.[3]
References
- ^ a b "Final Environmental Impact Report/Environmental Impact Statement: Fresno to Bakersfield—Appendix 3.8-B: Summary of Hydraulic Modeling for Project Alternatives" (PDF). California High-Speed Rail Authority. April 2014. pp. 1–2. Retrieved 2016-08-21.
- ^ "The Kings River Handbook" (PDF). Kings River Conservation District. June 2003. Retrieved 2016-08-21.
- ^ a b Lindt, John (2016-08-18). "Business pulse: High speed rail touts savings on Kings River bridge". Hanford Sentinel. Retrieved 2016-08-22.