Photo courtesy of T.Y. Lin International
Best Transportation Project: Harbor Drive Pedestrian Bridge

Harbor Drive Pedestrian Bridge

San Diego  Region ENR California

Project Team

Owner Centre City Development Corp., San Diego

Architect Safdie Rabines Architects, San Diego

General Contractor Reyes Construction, National City, Calif.

Construction Manager/Lead Engineer T.Y. Lin International, National City

Civil Engineer David Evans and Associates, San Diego

This 354-ft-long pedestrian bridge crosses six railroad tracks and a four-lane major arterial near San Deigo's Petco Park, home of MLB's Padres. But it's the style with which this bridge accomplishes its simple function that set it apart for the judges. The bridge's 131-ft-tall pylon inclines at a 60° angle and leans over the deck to support the single pair of suspension cables. Thirty-four individual suspenders attached to the main cable support the 20-ft-wide deck from the top of the railing at only one edge of the deck.

One judge said the bridge's "jaw-dropping design" makes it "no less than a wonderful work of art." The project was also notable for achieving 2.8 million hours with no lost-time accidents.