Lake Hodges Pedestrian Bridge

A 990 foot pedestrian bridge connecting Escondido to Rancho Bernardo is nearing completion. Instead of following the pedestrian trail around Lake Hodges, the bridge cuts off a 9.5 mile section, providing a direct link over the lake, making it much easier for pedestrians and bicyclists get to Poway and Rancho Bernardo from Escondido. This bridge is just a section of the 55 mile Coast to Crest Trail in the San Dieguito River Park which follows the San Dieguito River to the coast, and connects with the path at the San Dieguito Wetlands. It cost $10 million, and will be completed in March 2009.

Image1: Aerial Project Photo, Bridge is located just west of Highway 15

Normally, I think building a bridge on a sensitive habitat like a lake isn’t a good thing. However, this bridge has a very small footprint because of the way it is designed. Also, this bridge produces many positive social impacts such as promoting exercise and ecological awareness, so the bridge’s minimal environmental impact is mitigated by its social positives.

It was designed by engineering firm T. Y. Lin as a Stress Ribbon Bridge, and is the longest of its kind in the world. This stress ribbon bridge has only two footings, which anchor and support a system of pre-stressed concrete with steel cables.

Image 2: Concept Diagram of a Stress Ribbon Bridge

Image 3: Diagram from the North County Times of this Bridge

Image 4: Individual pre-stressed section.

Image 5: That's a lot of steel!

Image 6: Temporary construction Tressle on the right.