Goldenrod Footbridge: Seismic Upgrades Moving Along

Earthquakes are common in California, but the next time a big one hits, the Goldenrod Footbridge in Corona del Mar should be able to handle the shaking.

The bridge, which was built in August 1928, was in good shape but has been going through seismic retrofitting since the beginning of the year. City officials said that although in the event of an earthquake some damage is inevitable, the upgrades are expected to keep the bridge from collapsing.

"It's safe for use," said Dave Webb, the city's deputy public works director/city engineer. "The construction is to structurally stiffen it seismically so it will withstand an earthquake."

In October, the Newport Beach City Council approved the project—which includes the seismic retrofit taking place on Jamboree Road over San Diego Creek—which was a requirement of Caltrans' seismic retrofit programmed initiated after the 1971 San Fernando earthquake. The total project cost is about $706,000; $90,000 was spent on the Goldenrod Footbridge, the rest is for the seismic retrofit on Jamboree Road, Webb said. 

According to a city staff report, the seismic work to the Goldenrod Footbridge includes retrofitting the fixed and expansion bents, retrofitting the abutments and wrapping the columns in steel casings. The work is being paid for through state and federal funds, and construction is expected to be completed this month.

And that's good news to such locals as Jim Browning, who uses the bridge every day during his evening workout.

"The construction hasn't gotten in my way, or I should say I don't think I've gotten in its way," he said. "I'm looking forward to the bridge getting back to normal and being safer than it was before."

The 243-foot bridge spans across the 200 and 300 blocks of Goldenrod Avenue and stretches over Bayside Drive. The flower-covered Goldenrod Footbridge is very busy in the mornings and evenings with pedestrians and cyclists who use the footbridge as part of their daily routines.