Contra Costa County Public Works to begin Construction of the Marsh Drive Bridge Replacement Project

June 2, 2021, Concord, CA – Contra Costa County Public Works will begin construction of the Marsh Drive Bridge Replacement Project starting on Monday, June 7, 2021 through January 2023, barring unforeseen circumstances. Work will occur between 7:00 am-4:00 pm, Monday-Friday, weather permitting. Work will take place on Marsh Drive, approximately 0.2 miles west of Solano Avenue, in both unincorporated Contra Costa County and the City of Concord. There will be restrictions to minimize impacts during commute hours. The speed limit through the work area will be 25 mph during construction. Drivers should expect delays. 

The project will include reconstruction of approximately 1,000 feet of Marsh Drive near the bridge, installation of a retaining wall, channel improvements, and relocation of various utilities including water, electric power, and communication facilities. Work includes replacing the existing bridge with a new concrete bridge in a slightly shifted alignment to the north in stages built to current standards. The new bridge will include a 10-foot-wide separated bike and pedestrian facility. 

Funding for this project is provided by Federal Highway Bridge Program Funds, Local Road Funds, Contra Costa County Flood Control District Zone 3B Funds, Pacific Gas & Electric Funds, Contra Costa Water District Funds, and East Bay Regional Park District Funds. 

Additional project information, including construction schedule, is available at www.contracosta.ca.gov/marshdrivebridge 

About Contra Costa County Public Works Department:

Contra Costa County Public Works Department (CCCPWD) maintains over 660 miles of roads, 150 miles of streams, channels and other drainage and over 200 County buildings throughout Contra Costa County.   CCCPWD provides services such as Parks and Recreation, Sand Bag Distribution and Flood Control throughout unincorporated areas of Contra Costa County. To learn more about CCCPWD, please visit www.cccpublicworks.org 

Contact: Project Hotline: 800.684.2279; Media Inquiries: Kelly Kalfsbeek, 925.313.2115

Reproductive Health Services Remain Legal, Safe, Available in Contra Costa County

For Release: Friday, June 24, 2022

Contact: CCHS Media Line, 925-608-5463 or doc.pio@cchealth.org

Contra Costa Health (CCH) today reaffirms its commitment to reproductive health rights, and to ensure that all county residents may access safe, compassionate care, including abortion services.

Contra Costa County Now Offering COVID Vaccines to Children Under Age 5

County-run vaccination clinics in Contra Costa are now offering safe and effective COVID vaccines to children ages 6 months to 4 years old. 

The Food and Drug Administration (FDA), the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and the Western States Scientific Safety Review Workgroup recently authorized pediatric versions of Pfizer’s and Moderna’s vaccines for this age group. Previously, only children ages 5+ and adults were eligible to receive COVID vaccinations. 

The pediatric COVID vaccines come in smaller doses than the adult vaccines. Pfizer’s vaccine for this age group is a three-dose series – the first two doses are spaced three weeks apart and the third dose is given eight weeks after that. Moderna offers a two-dose series with each shot given one month apart.  

Vaccines are our best defense against severe disease from COVID. While kids tend to get less sick from COVID-19 than adults, they can still get seriously ill from the virus, said Dr. Ori Tzvieli, health officer for the county. 

“COVID is now one of the leading causes of death among children in the United States,” Dr. Tzvieli said. “Vaccination is the best way to reduce health risks to kids.”  

An estimated 60,000 county residents are in the newly eligible age group. Parents and guardians can schedule vaccination appointments at county-run vaccination sites (see locations and hours below) or with their children’s regular healthcare provider. Children must have consent from a parent or adult guardian to receive the vaccine. 

Contra Costa Health is also planning a series of mobile vaccination clinics in partnership with local child-development organizations in the coming weeks. We will provide more details about those mobile clinics at a later date. 

For more information, visit our Vaccine for Kids webpage. 

County Vaccine Sites & Hours

Bay Area Health Officials Urge Awareness About Monkeypox as Summer Travel and Gatherings Begin

As the summer season begins with increased travel and major events and gatherings, Bay Area health officials urge people to protect themselves against the monkeypox virus, which spreads through prolonged skin-to-skin contact and bodily fluids, such as through crowded settings or sexual contact. 

The alert from nine health jurisdictions comes as cases – which appear on individuals as distinctive rashes and sores that can look like blisters or pimples – continue to emerge in the Bay Area, the nation and the globe. Monkeypox is not new, but this is the first time this virus has spread in so many countries at once.  

Most cases of monkeypox resolve on their own, although they can be serious. The illness often begins with flu-like symptoms before the emergence of a rash and may last for 2 to 4 weeks. A post-exposure vaccination is available through healthcare providers.

Unlike COVID-19 which spreads easily through the air, the risk of monkeypox to the general public is currently low unless they engage in higher-risk behaviors. Having sex with multiple sex partners can increase a person’s risk of becoming infected when monkeypox is spreading in the community. Be aware of crowded, indoor spaces where people have close skin-to-skin contact, sex, kissing, and close breathing. The virus can also be spread through shared clothing or bedding.

Many of the cases currently appearing are within networks of self-identified gay and bisexual men, trans people, and men who have sex with men. People in these networks are currently at higher risk, though people of any sexual orientation or gender identity can become infected and spread monkeypox. 

Bay Area health officials urge the media, government officials, and the community at-large to avoid stigmatizing a particular group or person for monkeypox, but rather support those at highest risk and keep others from becoming complacent.

"Monkeypox is not common in the Bay Area. By being mindful now about how to protect ourselves and each other, we can keep it that way," said Dr. Ori Tzvieli, Contra Costa County health officer. "We are working closely with the state, neighboring counties and our community healthcare providers to keep the public informed about how to stay safe and what to do if they have symptoms or believe they may have been exposed."

There are other contagious illnesses that can cause rash or skin lesions. For example, syphilis and herpes are much more common than monkeypox, can look similar, and should be treated too.

How to protect yourself:

• Consider covering exposed skin in dense, indoor crowds
• Don’t share bedding or clothing with others when possible
• Before having close, physical contact with others, talk to your partners about their health and any recent rashes or sores 
• Stay aware if traveling to countries where there are outbreaks

How to protect others: 

If you have symptoms particularly a rash consistent with monkeypox, or if you have been in contact with someone who has been diagnosed with monkeypox:

• Stay home if you are feeling sick
• Contact a health care provider as soon as possible for an evaluation
• Avoid skin-to-skin, or close contact with others, including sexual contact, until a medical evaluation has been completed
• Inform sex partners about any symptoms you are experiencing
• Cover the rash with clean, dry, loose-fitting clothing
• Wear a well-fitted mask
• If you are contacted by public health officials, answer their confidential questions to help protect others who may have been exposed

No cases of monkeypox have been identified in Contra Costa County as of Thursday, but several cases have been confirmed in neighboring Bay Area counties. 

For more information about monkeypox: 

• Centers for Disease Control & Prevention (CDC)
• California Department of Public Health (CDPH)
• Social gatherings and safer sex from the CDC

Heat Safety Tips & Places to Cool on Days Over 100 Degrees

2021/2022 Secured Property Taxes

Now Available at WWW.CCTAX.US

Look Up Tax Bill by either parcel number or property (situs) address. Please verify the address is correct.

Having difficulty keeping track of your property tax bills?  SIGN UP FOR E-BILLING!  

The benefits are:

• It’s Clean! e-Billing prevents paper waste and allows you to save on postage.
• It’s Safe! e-Billing notification is sent directly to the email address listed in your profile.
• It’s Direct! e-Billing links you directly to your online property tax account.
• It’s Helpful! With e-billing you get an email reminder to pay prior to each delinquent date.

PROPERTY TAX POSTPONEMENT FOR SENIOR CITIZENS OR BLIND OR DISABLED PERSONS

The State Controller’s Office (SCO) administers the Property Tax Postponement (PTP) program, which allows eligible homeowners to postpone payment of current-year property taxes on their primary residence. PTP applications are accepted from October 1 to February 10 each year.

Go to the SCO website for more information, or call (800) 952-5661 or email postponement@sco.ca.gov.

TO CHANGE YOUR MAILING ADDRESS, VISIT WWW.CCCOUNTY.US/ASSESSOR OR CALL (925) 313-7400.

NEW ADDRESS FOR MAIL-IN PAYMENTS

Due to the consolidation of payment processing services, the coupon mailing address has changed.  2021-2022 tax bills will be printed with a new mailing address: P.O. Box 51104, Los Angeles, CA 90051-5402.

If you have any questions regarding your property tax bills or their payments, please contact the Treasurer-Tax Collector’s Office at (925) 608-9500 during the hours of 9 a.m. to 4 p.m., Monday through Friday, or by emailing us at taxinfo@tax.cccounty.us.  Information is also available on our website.