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Public works report: County Road 41 remains partially unmaintained; board asks staff to identify funding and partners
Summary
Public works outlined longstanding washouts and gate closures on County Road 41; board directed staff to convene stakeholders and pursue funding options after hearing fire and emergency services concerns.
Public Works Director Todd Riddio briefed the Yolo County Board of Supervisors July 22 on the condition of County Road 41, a rural route in the county's northwest corner that is partly paved and partly unpaved and has been subject to repeated washouts and gate vandalism.
Riddio said the county ceased maintenance in 2009 on the unpaved gravel stretch between two gates because that section required repeated summer rebuilds and lock repairs; the Yochetti Wintun Nation now operates the southern gate. He described progressive erosion along Cache Creek beginning in 2017, showing photos of a washout that now consumes the roadbed. Riddio said a 2021 board direction produced near-complete design work for a realignment to move the road away from the creek, but right-of-way acquisition stalled when a needed parcel entered foreclosure and a grant application to build the realignment was unsuccessful.
The bridge that provides access across Cache Creek for the paved portion (the Rumsey Bridge) has a replacement project designed and cleared to start construction next year, Riddio said, and the paved approach is receiving pavement-preservation work this season. But the 2-mile unpaved gap between gates remains unmaintained and gated; Riddio said Yolo County Office of Emergency Services has determined County Road 41 may not serve as a reliable evacuation route because of infrequent maintenance, washouts, and fallen-tree obstructions.
Cape (Capay) Valley Fire Chief Jesse Capitano told the board County Road 41 is the only county route out of part of his district and has been used as a firebreak and evacuation route during past wildfires; he urged continued work because Highway 16 can be blocked in winter storms and the community needs alternate egress.
Following discussion, supervisors expressed support for convening stakeholders, exploring grant and other funding opportunities, and coordinating with Colusa County where the road enters the neighboring jurisdiction. County administrative staff said they would pursue funding ideas and report back. Riddio and staff were not seeking immediate board action: the briefing was presented as information and to generate direction for next steps.
