Now Open: Harbor Drive Pedestrian Bridge in San Diego's East Village Ballpark District

T.Y. Lin International (TYLI), a globally recognized full-service infrastructure consulting firm, announces that the new Harbor Drive Pedestrian Bridge has been completed and is officially open. The $26.8-million bridge was constructed to provide a safe, elevated footbridge for pedestrians and bicyclists over busy Harbor Drive and existing train and trolley tracks. Designed by TYLI and, at 550 feet, one of the longest self-anchored, suspension bridges in the world, the new landmark signature footbridge now serves as a southern gateway to downtown San Diego and fulfills the City’s 100-year vision to link two of its important regional assets: Balboa Park and San Diego Bay.

TYLI’s design for the Harbor Drive Pedestrian Bridge was selected as a clear community favorite for both its visual aesthetics and its transparent profile. “With its close proximity to the waterfront, the convention center, PETCO Park (home of the San Diego Padres Major League Baseball Club) and Gaslamp Quarter, the new footbridge is a beautiful structural icon for the city and people of San Diego,” said Joe Tognoli, TYLI Vice President and Lead Bridge Designer.

TYLI worked closely with the Centre City Development Corporation (CCDC) on the project, which created a grade-separated pedestrian crossing of six railroad tracks and of Harbor Drive, a four-lane major arterial. After developing four structural concepts, including steel space truss, a cable-stayed bridge, a self anchored suspension bridge and an arched steel shell, and presenting them to the various stakeholders involved, TYLI’s self-anchored suspension bridge design was selected for its aesthetics, cost and suitability for the site.

With a main span of 354 feet, the graceful, single-cable self-anchored suspension bridge features a 131-ft. tall pylon and a curved deck that is suspended only along the inside edge. The pylon itself is inclined at a 60o angle and leans over the deck to support the single pair of suspension cables. Thirty four individual suspenders, which are attached to the main cable, support the 20-ft. wide deck from the top of the railing. Because of its close proximity to San Diego Bay’s marine environment, the bridge was constructed using stainless steel over traditional painted steel.

TYLI’s vision for the Harbor Drive Pedestrian Overcrossing incorporated simple, clean lines that enhance and enable unobstructed, 360 degree views of its beautiful San Diego environs. The design also took into account aesthetic and cost-effective design elements that can be appreciated by the pedestrians strolling over the iconic structure. This included architectural concrete finishes and textured walking surfaces, as well as stainless steel hand railings and stainless steel aircraft cable mesh for the safety screening and indirect deck lighting. Other project amenities include custom hardscape and landscape at the bridge landing plazas and the central pylon area.

“The result is an elegant, well-engineered structure that sails into San Diego's skyline as it unites downtown's