Harbor Drive Pedestrian Bridge facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Harbor Drive Pedestrian Bridge |
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| Coordinates | 32°42′18″N 117°09′25″W / 32.7050°N 117.1570°W |
| Carries | Pedestrian Traffic |
| Crosses | Harbor Drive in San Diego, California |
| Locale | San Diego, California |
| Characteristics | |
| Design | self-anchored suspension bridge |
| Total length | 550 feet (168 m) |
| Width | 16 feet (5 m) |
| Longest span | 354 feet (108 m) |
| Clearance below | 25 feet (8 m) |
| History | |
| Architect | Safdie Rabines Architects |
| Engineering design by | T.Y. Lin International |
| Opened | March 18, 2011 |
The Harbor Drive Pedestrian Bridge is a special bridge in downtown San Diego, California. It crosses over Harbor Drive and Park Boulevard. This bridge is 550 feet (170 m) long. This makes it one of the longest bridges of its kind in the world! It's a "self-anchored suspension bridge," which means it holds itself up in a unique way.
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Why Was the Bridge Built?
Connecting Key San Diego Spots
The Harbor Drive Pedestrian Bridge was finished in March 2011. It was built to help people walk safely across a busy area. Imagine going to a baseball game at Petco Park. You might park your car on the other side of Harbor Drive, near the Hilton Bayfront Hotel. This bridge makes it easy and safe for fans to walk from their parking spots right to the stadium.
Crossing Busy Roads and Tracks
The bridge goes over many things! It crosses six lanes of car traffic. It also goes over a rail yard and trolley tracks. This means people can walk above all the cars and trains, staying safe. The bridge also connects important parts of San Diego:
- The San Diego Convention Center, where big events happen.
- The lively Gaslamp Quarter, known for its shops and restaurants.
- The East Village, a growing neighborhood.
You can get onto the bridge using stairs or elevators, making it easy for everyone to use.
What Makes the Bridge Special?
A Unique and Eye-Catching Design
This bridge has a very cool and unusual design. It hangs from a single tall pole, called a pylon. This pylon is 131 feet (40 m) high and leans into the ground at a 60-degree angle. The bridge itself has a curved concrete path for walkers. What's really neat is that it's only held up on the inside curve of the path. This is done by just one pair of strong suspension cables.
Materials and Views
The bridge is built using strong stainless steel. It also has lights both above and below the walking path. People have said it looks "sleek" and "nautical," like something from a ship. When you walk across it, you get a really nice view of the city!
Who Built This Amazing Bridge?
The Teams Behind the Project
Building such a unique bridge takes many talented people! Reyes Construction, Inc. was the main company that built the Harbor Drive Pedestrian Bridge. The engineering, which is like designing how it will stand up and be strong, was done by T.Y. Lin International. The architects, who designed how it would look, were Safdie Rabines Architects.
Cost and Funding
The bridge cost about $26.8 million to build. A big part of the money, $6 million, came from a special grant. This grant was provided by the California Transportation Commission, which helps fund transportation projects in California.
