Marysville’s Highway 70 reopening months after fire, demolition of historic downtown hotel
Highway 70 through downtown Marysville will reopen Friday, freeing the northbound route blocked for months by the destructive fire and demolition of the historic Hotel Marysville.
Marysville’s E Street, which carry the state route, had been closed off since the June blaze that threatened the historic but long abandoned hotel’s collapse in the heart of downtown and the demolition that followed; grinding the livelihood of the Yuba County seat’s small businesses to a near-halt.
That ends Friday. Seven months after the fire, normal traffic along Highway 70 through the downtown will resume. All traffic signals along the state route will be fully operational and all lanes both north and south will be open.
An official reopening is set for Friday evening, local officials said.
“This reopening marks a major milestone toward restoring normalcy for commuters and businesses in the area,” Caltrans officials in Marysville said in a Thursday statement.
“Although we understand the inconvenience the highway closure has caused, the safety of the traveling public is always the department’s top priority,” said Caltrans District 3 Director Sergio Aceves, thanking Marysville and Yuba County for their patience during what he called a “challenging and difficult process.”
“Caltrans is committed to support economic prosperity in the communities we serve,” Aceves said.
Eastbound Fifth Street will remain closed from Highway 70 to D Street while crews continue their work to cover hotel debris and fence off the property where the hotel stood, Caltrans officials said.
Marysville leaders eager to close the final chapter of the moribund hotel’s story expressed gratitude on Thursday.
“This marks a bittersweet conclusion for the Marysville Hotel. The journey to resolve the legal, environmental, and safety challenges stemming from the hotel fire has been long and difficult,” said Marysville City Manager Jim Schaad in a statement, citing the months-long efforts of city, Yuba County, Caltrans and contractors to clear away the hotel and reopen the highway.
“Their unwavering dedication has been instrumental in minimizing disruptions while prioritizing safety, first after the fire, throughout the building demolition, and now with the full reopening of the state route,” Schaad said.
A public event to recognize the history of the Hotel Marysville, built in 1926, is set for 3 p.m., Jan. 27, on Fifth Street. The “Farewell to Hotel Marysville” invites city residents to pay tribute to the legacy and history of the now demolished landmark.
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