Idaho Avenue Pedestrian Overcrossing

The Idaho Avenue Pedestrian Overcrossing (POC) extends from the Idaho Trail in Pacific Palisades Park and corkscrews tightly around the vertical clearance envelope of the California Incline roadway. The signature feature is the highly curved V-pier on the west side of the roadway. The POC provides users with a safe crossing that offers panoramic ocean views.

Because a contractor was already working onsite on another project, TYLin recommended that the city use the same contractor for the Idaho Avenue POC project. While this accelerated the design process, the solution reduced public inconvenience by utilizing existing road closures and detours.

TYLin’s services included the structural assessment of an existing overcrossing, concept alternatives analysis, final bridge design, and plans, specifications, and estimates (PS&E). TYLin also provided construction support for the overcrossing and improvements to the historic Idaho Trail.

Project Highlights:

• Project challenges included working with an existing trail with a steep 10% grade, space limitations, a site located between erodible cliffs and the City property line, and a large elevation drop.
• TYLin’s V-pier design resembles a nautilus shell, facilitating a connection to the marine environment.
• TYLin provided 3D model files of the V-pier for the construction of accurate forms.
• The POC transitions from the trail grade to a code-compliant staircase that progressively widens on the decent.
• The cantilevered bridge deck is accentuated by a transparent, LED-lit cable railing that minimizes view obstructions.
• TYLin redesigned the Idaho Trail to minimize maintenance and erosion, including a new drainage system.

Image Credit: Tom Paiva Photography