People’s Bridge, San Diego First Avenue Bridge Retrofit/ Closure:

The status of the First Avenue Bridge retrofit project will be discussed at this Wednesday’s Bankers Hill/Park West Community Association meeting. Work on the well-known “People’s Bridge” over Maple Canyon will likely begin in mid-2007 and will involve closing the bridge for from six months to a year. The City’s Engineering describes the project as: “The proposed improvement will include the seismic retrofit of the First Avenue Bridge between Palm Street and Nutmeg Street. Seismic retrofit of the bridge includes deck reconstruction, superstructure and substructure retrofit, and the addition of an infill wall at Pier 2. Minor street improvements and utility relocation will be required for retrofit of the bridge abutments. In order to restore the bridge to the original 1931 appearance, railings and light standards will be reconstructed and the structure will be painted with the original bronze color.” Meeting location: St. Paul’s Community Care Center, 328 Maple Street, enter via the west parking lot before 6:30.