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CCDC News: San Diego’s Harbor Drive Pedestrian Bridge Breaks Ground

Unique Pedestrian Overpass to Complete Park to Bay Link

SAN DIEGO ? At a groundbreaking ceremony today, public officials and San Diegans celebrated the beginning of construction of one of the nation’s longest self-anchored pedestrian suspension bridges. Fulfilling a Public Utilities Commission requirement, the Harbor Drive Pedestrian Bridge will allow PETCO Park visitors and Convention Center guests safe pedestrian crossing between the waterfront and East Village over multiple train and trolley tracks.

“The Harbor Drive Pedestrian Bridge will be an important addition to the infrastructure of downtown San Diego,” said Mayor Jerry Sanders. “The overpass will improve traffic in the area and serve as an important connection among neighborhoods, buildings and even regions. I’m proud to see this project breaking ground and I know we’ll all be proud to see it as part of our skyline.”

Spanning across Harbor Drive at Park Boulevard, the overpass will realize the 100-year vision of linking two important regional assets: Balboa Park and San Diego Bay. The bridge will also enable the reopening of Harbor Drive at Park Boulevard to vehicular traffic. Future plans call for an at-grade crossing, including pedestrian barriers and enhanced safety crossing technologies that will improve traffic circulation and public access.

“This bridge is remarkable in function, style and notable for the collaboration among local, regional and federal governments,” said Centre City Development Corporation (CCDC) Board Vice Chair Bob McNeely. “It’s a true symbol of the important work being done to improve the public realm.”

The Harbor Drive Pedestrian Bridge is a uniquely funded project and is a collaboration of local, state, regional and federal agencies, including the California Department of Transportation (Caltrans); California Transportation Commission; CCDC, working on behalf of the City of San Diego and its Redevelopment Agency; JMI Realty; the Federal Highway Administration; SANDAG and the Unified Port of San Diego. Total construction for the project is anticipated to cost $26.8 million and be complete in late winter 2009.

Prominent location, civic importance and the development of the pedestrian bridge as a gateway to the region contributed to the high level of aesthetic quality and iconic design.

The bridge’s unique design includes:

About Centre City Development Corporation (CCDC)
CCDC is the public, nonprofit corporation created by the City of San Diego in 1975 to staff, plan and implement downtown's redevelopment on behalf of the City's Redevelopment Agency. CCDC offices are located at Wells Fargo Plaza, 401 B Street, Suite 400, in downtown San Diego.

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