San Diego–Coronado Bridge facts for kids
Quick facts for kids San Diego–Coronado Bridge |
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Coronado Bridge In 2016
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| Coordinates | 32°41′11″N 117°09′30″W / 32.6865°N 117.1583°W |
| Carries | 5 lanes of  SR 75 |
| Crosses | San Diego Bay |
| Locale | San Diego and Coronado, California |
| Owner | State of California |
| Maintained by | California Department of Transportation |
| ID number | 57 0857 |
| Characteristics | |
| Design | Orthotropic deck on box girder |
| Material | Prestressed concrete and steel |
| Total length | 11,179 feet (3,407 m) or 2.1 miles (3.4 km) (including approaches) |
| Width | 63 feet (19 m) between curbs |
| Longest span | 660 feet (200 m) |
| Number of spans | 32 |
| Piers in water | 21 |
| Clearance below | 200 feet (61 m) |
| History | |
| Successful competition design | 1978 World Bridge Beauty Contest |
| Constructed by | Murphy-Pacific |
| Fabrication by | Murphy-Pacific |
| Construction begin | February 1967 |
| Construction cost | US$48 (equivalent to $383 in 2022) million |
| Opened | August 3, 1969 |
| Replaces | San Diego and Coronado Ferry |
| Statistics | |
| Daily traffic | 75,000 (2009) |
The San Diego–Coronado Bridge, often called the Coronado Bridge, is a famous bridge in California. It connects the cities of San Diego and Coronado, California by crossing over San Diego Bay. This bridge is made from strong prestressed concrete and steel. It is also part of State Route 75, a highway that helps people travel.
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About the Coronado Bridge
Building a Bay Bridge
Back in 1926, a man named John D. Spreckels suggested building a bridge here. But people voted against the idea. The U.S. Navy was also worried about a bridge. They feared it could fall during an attack or earthquake. This might trap their ships at Naval Base San Diego.
In 1935, a Navy officer even said the Navy would leave San Diego if a bridge was built. But by 1964, the Navy changed its mind. They agreed to a bridge if it had enough space underneath. Ships needed at least 200 feet (61 m) of clearance to pass safely.
To get this height, the bridge had to be longer. It took a curved path instead of a straight one. This allowed large ships, like empty oil-fired aircraft carriers, to pass. However, it is not tall enough for the biggest nuclear aircraft carriers.
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The main architect for the bridge was Robert Mosher. His goal was to create a bridge that was useful for travel. It also needed to let ships into the bay. Plus, it had to be a beautiful landmark for San Diego. Mosher designed a strong bridge using a special technique. This made the bridge very strong without needing extra support structures.
Construction began in February 1967. Workers used 20,000 tons of steel and 94,000 cubic yards of concrete. They also dug deep into the bay floor for the bridge's supports.
Many Coronado residents did not want the bridge. They worried about more traffic in their town. But the state government decided to build it anyway. The bridge opened on August 3, 1969. This was during San Diego's 200th anniversary celebration. The bridge is 11,179 feet long (about 2.1 miles). It curves 80 degrees towards San Diego.
In 1970, the bridge won an award for its design. It was known for having the longest continuous box girder in the world. This record was held until 2008.
Bridge Tolls and Lanes
When the bridge first opened in 1969, drivers paid a toll to cross. This toll was 60 cents in each direction. Later, in 1980, the toll became $1.20. It was only collected when driving towards Coronado. The tolls continued until June 27, 2002. After that, the bridge became free to cross. It was the last toll bridge in Southern California to stop collecting money.
Some people worried that stopping tolls would cause more traffic. And traffic did increase by 20 percent. The old toll booths are still there, but they are no longer used.
The bridge has five lanes for cars. Two lanes go east, and two go west. There is also a special middle lane. This lane can change direction depending on traffic. A moving barrier system helps switch the lane. This system was added in 1993. Before that, cones were used to separate traffic. In 1981, a serious accident happened when a driver crossed the cones. This led to the safer barrier system.
The bridge is only for cars and trucks. There are no sidewalks for walking or paths for bikes. However, once a year, a lane opens for a special run/walk event. Since 2008, cyclists also get a chance to ride over the bridge during the "Bike the Bay" event.
Art Under the Bridge
The large pillars supporting the eastern end of the bridge are very special. They are painted with huge murals. These murals are part of Chicano Park. This park has the largest collection of Chicano art murals anywhere. The park and murals were created in 1970. This was after people protested the bridge's impact on their community. A local artist, Salvador Torres, suggested using the bridge pillars as giant canvases. He and other artists created these amazing murals.
Lighting Up the Bridge
In 1997, the Port of San Diego looked for artists to design lights for the bridge. They wanted environmentally friendly lighting. In 2010, a design group from London was chosen. Their idea was to light the bridge with special LED lights. These lights would be powered by wind turbines. This means the lighting would be energy-neutral.
In 2012, fundraising began for this lighting project. The Port of San Diego said no taxpayer money would be used. They planned to use grants and donations. The goal was to have the lights ready by 2019, for the bridge's 50th anniversary. As of 2014, this was still the target.
In November 2020, three of the bridge's columns were lit up for a test. This showed how the new lighting might look.
Bridge Myths
There's a local story that says the middle part of the bridge can float. The legend claims it was designed to float if it ever collapsed. This way, Navy ships could push the pieces out of the bay. This myth might have started because of the bridge's hollow design. Also, during construction, it looked like it was floating.
However, the Caltrans and the bridge's architect, Robert Mosher, say this isn't true. The legend is just a fun story.
See also
In Spanish: Puente del Coronado para niños
