Plans to install the middle section of the new bike and pedestrian bridge near Adobe Creek in Palo Alto, where the freeway was scheduled for a temporary closure this weekend, have been postponed again due to transport issues, the city announced Friday.
The bridge has traveled through Arizona and is about 100 miles from Palo Alto, but the hauling company in charge of bringing the final segment of the overcrossing to the construction site is facing problems with "manuvering the oversize load," the city said in an online post. It's estimated that the segment will take "several more days" to get to Palo Alto, and the installation will be rescheduled, but no specific date has been released.
Construction began in January 2020. The installation of the bridge's three segments was set for this past February, but was delayed to the a "technical transport/permitting issue." Two of the three segments at East and West Bayshore roads were installed in late April. The final segment was previously scheduled to go up during Memorial Day weekend, but was pushed back so the city's contractor could secure permits from Nevada, allowing the Nevada Highway Patrol to escort the section across state borders, according to the city.
Initially, drivers were advised to expect a partial lane closure of the freeway in the area of San Antonio Road and Embarcadero Road starting Saturday, June 5, at 8 p.m. The highway was to be fully closed from San Antonio Road to Embarcadero Road on Sunday, June 6, from 1:30 a.m. to 6 a.m.
The overcrossing is a $22.9 million project, with funding coming from local, state and federal sources, according to the city. The development has been in the works since 2012, when the city received a $4 million grant from Santa Clara County. The new bridge is intended to provide easy access to the Baylands at Adobe Creek for cyclists and pedestrians. It will also include a trail that connects West Bayshore Road to the Baylands.
Once the new bridge opens to the public, the Benjamin Lefkowitz Underpass, which is only open for half of the year on average due to seasonal flooding, will be replaced with a path that's available year-round.
Comments
Registered user
Downtown North
on Jun 5, 2021 at 9:40 am
Registered user
on Jun 5, 2021 at 9:40 am
This project is officially haunted.
With all the delays, starting with design, causing the project to double in cost and now the final segment being rescheduled four different install dates. TEN years to build one bike bridge!!!!
I think I'll stay away from using it.
I wonder if it was built on an ancient burial ground...
Registered user
Barron Park
on Jun 7, 2021 at 11:33 pm
Registered user
on Jun 7, 2021 at 11:33 pm
This bike bridge is a perfect example of the incompetence of the multiple city councils Palo Alto has had for the past 10 years. Typical liberal government that can't get things done, yet spend plenty of money on people and talk.
Registered user
Adobe-Meadow
on Jun 9, 2021 at 9:09 pm
Registered user
on Jun 9, 2021 at 9:09 pm
This whole structure looks too low. When you enter 101 at San Antonio it looks like a tall truck or bus would hit it's head. Something is wrong there. The base should be moved further from the freeway so that the area over the entry lane has more room.