The University of California San Diego (UCSD) Mesa Housing Pedestrian and Bicycle Bridge involved design and construction of a $10M bridge, linking the Mesa Housing neighborhood with the Medical Center campus. The bridge spans 465 linear feet and features a 10-foot-wide bike lane and a 6-foot-wide pedestrian walkway. As the lead design firm, Kleinfelder provided expert studies to determine bridge alignment based on several factors including cost, construction ease, environmental impacts, and community value.

Challenging Site Conditions

Because the bridge crosses an environmentally sensitive area, permanent and temporary supports could not be used within the canyon. This resulted in a 190-foot middle span which required extensive analyses to demonstrate its constructability amidst adjacent project construction, steep grades, environmental restrictions, and potentially contaminated soil.

Innovative Design Solutions

Kleinfelder’s use of spliced precast concrete girders in the bridge design accommodated the long span length and minimized environmental impact, while analysis of construction scenarios during the design phase helped navigate a complex construction sequence and accurately predict deformations of the bridge to ensure a straight deck profile. Curvatures in the edge of the deck and varying inclination of metal railings along the length of the bridge made it essential to balance aesthetics and structural requirements in the design.

Project Results

The completed bridge achieves a balance of safety, aesthetics, functionality, environmental sensitivity, community value, and cost savings. The project has received nine awards from several associations including ACEC, ASCE, APWA, SDAF, ASCC-DCC, PCI, and ACI.

“Overall, UC San Diego is very pleased with the outcome of the Mesa Housing Pedestrian and Bicycle Bridge. We are thankful for the high quality, professional services provided by Kleinfelder.” (Ross Kunishige, UCSD Project Manager)

Project Details

Location:
San Diego, CA

Owner:
University of California, San Diego