The city of Santa Monica, Calif., is mulling over several designs to replace its 1939 bridge that links the mainland to the Santa Monica Pier, according to a report in The Malibu Times.
The city had discussed replacing the bridge in the 1990s. But the passage of time and an upcoming light-rail line that will bring more foot traffic has made replacing the bridge more urgent.
The current bridge is described as “functionally obsolete,” which means it’s too narrow for motorists and pedestrians.
The city is considering at least four options. One favored by the city widens the bridge by 70 percent. However, this option would make it wider than the current pier.
A second option that’s found favor would build a second bridge for vehicles from Moss Avenue. A new bridge at the current site would be used only by bicycles, pedestrians and emergency vehicles. (The grade of the current bridge is too steep to comply with Americans with Disabilities Act.) Several businesses at Ocean Front Walk oppose the Moss Avenue bridge because it would block views of the ocean.
Here’s one of the artist’s renderings of the replacement bridge:
Other artist’s renderings of the designs can be seen here and here.
A final design for the bridge is expected by fall 2016. After that, construction will take 12 to 18 months.
The Santa Monica Pier has become the traditional endpoint for westbound Route 66 travelers, although Route 66′s real western terminus sits at a much more mundane site about a mile away at Lincoln and Olympic in Santa Monica.
(Hat tip: Scott Piotrowski; image of the entrance to the Santa Monica Pier by Larry Myhre via Flickr)