Projects

Mike Gotch Memorial Bridge

Mike Gotch Memorial Bridge

San Diego, California
United States
Mike Gotch Memorial Bridge

TYLin served as Prime Engineering Consultant in charge of a multi-disciplinary team for the planning, design, and construction of the Mike Gotch Memorial Bridge (also known as the Rose Creek Bikeway and Pedestrian Bridge) in San Diego, California.

The Mike Gotch Memorial Bridge is a 0.35-mile segment of Class I bikeway that links an existing bicycle facility along Pacific Beach Drive and a Class I bikeway that starts at North Mission Bay Drive. Located in a highly visible setting, the 360-foot-long bridge presents a remarkable 260-foot clear span across Rose Creek.

The long-span, cast-in-place prestressed concrete bridge provides the City of San Diego with a signature structure suited to its surroundings. For cyclists and pedestrians, the bridge fills a gap in the existing regional bicycle network and provides safe, convenient access from beach communities to the west to the residential and business districts to the north, south, and east.

To address aesthetic options and criteria such as resource agency requirements, constructability, cost, and long-term maintenance, TYLin prepared a concept study report that represented a full spectrum of possible bridge configurations and structure types.

As recommended by TYLin, the City of San Diego selected a sweeping structure with an exceptional clear span. The cantilevered end spans are buried in the approach embankments and act as counterweights to the long center span. 

TYLin’s services included initial planning and concept studies, architectural design, preparation of the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA) and National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA) documents and permit processing through final design, preparation of plans, specifications, and estimate (PS&E), and construction support. 

Project Highlights:

  • The Mike Gotch Memorial Bridge is one of the longest single, clear span pedestrian bridges of its type in the United States.
  • TYLI’s innovative design allowed the bridge to stretch across the entire width of the creek without intermediate support, resulting in no permanent impacts to the surrounding wetlands, native plants, or animal species.
  • High-strength prestressing tendons were used in place of rebar.
  • During construction, special Best Management Practices (BMPs) were implemented in compliance with Coastal Act requirements for biological productivity of the natural habitat.

Image Credit: Tom Paiva Photography

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