Beginning in fall 2015, the historic Georgia St. Bridge that spans across University Avenue will soon get the face lift it’s been waiting for.
Councilmember Todd Gloria announced Tuesday that the city council has approved and received $9.5 million in federal funding for the project. This is in addition to the $1.7 million the city previously received, totaling at $11.2 million.
The bridge, which was built in 1914 and placed on the National Register of Historic Places in 1998, needs some major repairs. Since the bridge is more than 100 years old, the city is working with Caltrans and the Federal Highway Administration to follow historic and Caltrans guidelines. These repairs will happen from the arch ribs of the bridge and up, as well as the crosswalks and lanes along University Avenue.
According to a press release from the city of San Diego, the repairs will include new curbs and gutters on both sides of University Avenue, added shared-lane markings for cyclists riding in the outside road lanes, new asphalt between the Florida St. and Park Blvd. intersections and replaced sidewalks on the south side of University Avenue. The portion of University that runs under the bridge will be lowered a little over two feet to increase the vertical clearance between the street and the bridge.
When the federal funding was first announced in February, NBC 7 asked San Diegans what they think about the bridge. As a historical landmark, they are ready to see some improvement to what they consider a gem in their neighborhood.
The renovations for the bridge are being planned with SANDAG’s North Park Mid-City Bike Corridors Project improvements and are estimated to take one year to complete.
