TEHAMA COUNTY, California — October 29, 2026. Tehama County Public Works has filed an emergency project notice aimed at protecting the Simpson Road Bridge over Thomes Creek from scour around its northern abutment. The state received the Notice of Exemption on October 28, 2026.
What work does the county propose?
According to the filing, the county would remove approximately 20,000 cubic yards of gravel from the creek channel while the bed is dry and form a new low-flow channel nearer the middle of the waterway. The stated engineering purpose is to reduce hydraulic pressure on the bridge’s northern abutment during high flows.
Why call it an emergency?
The county says it wants to reduce the risk of infrastructure damage during severe wet-weather conditions. Its notice describes anticipated storm risk and cites emergency provisions of the California Environmental Quality Act. This is the county’s rationale for the exemption, not an independently verified forecast that a particular storm or flood will strike the bridge on a specific date.
Does the environmental filing mean Simpson Road is closed?
No. The filing identifies proposed bridge-protection work but does not establish a present traffic closure, detour, duration of construction or final safety inspection. Drivers should consult Tehama County Public Works or current public-safety alerts for real-time access information.
How will the gravel be handled?
The project description says gravel removal would occur under the county’s existing Nicol Pit extraction permit. It also states that minor vegetation would be removed and that work is intended for dry channel conditions. The filing gives approximate coordinates near Corning, but does not provide an itemized contractor schedule in the public summary.
Questions residents can ask
People using Simpson Road can request the date of any planned field work, bridge-load restrictions if applicable, anticipated traffic controls, waterway protection measures and follow-up engineering inspections. The filing lists Public Works Director Dan Newton at (530) 385-1462.
Primary source: California State Clearinghouse SCH 2026101114 — Emergency Bridge Protection and Stream Realignment Project, October 28, 2026. This is separate from the Inskip–Lanes Valley fuel-break project and is maintained on its own canonical URL.
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