An aerial view of the new Mt. Vernon Avenue Bridge while it was under construction.
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Courtesy San Bernardino County Transportation Authority
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Topline:
The landmark Mt. Vernon Avenue Bridge in San Bernardino is finally reconnecting the city's westside after completing a nearly five-year project. It reopens today with a community celebration planned to welcome back drivers, bikers and pedestrians.
Why it matters: The bridge is a major transit corridor and sits above one of the largest rail yards in the region, according to operators.
What’s new? The 900-foot bridge will feature four lanes across with dedicated bike lanes and a wider sidewalk. Builders also kept the bridge's character in keeping the solid stamping pattern along the railing.
The backstory: The bridge was originally built in 1934 and passes over 22 railroad tracks. Due to age and heavy traffic, the bridge was eventually rated severely deficient by officials.
Read on... for details on the reopening ceremony.
The landmark Mt. Vernon Avenue Bridge in San Bernardino is finally reconnecting the city's westside after completing a nearly five-year project.
The bridge was slated to Saturday with a community celebration planned to welcome back drivers, bikers and pedestrians.
The old bridge, built in 1934, was completely disassembled in 2021 after officials rated the bridge "severely deficient."
“The state of California rates bridges on a scale of zero to a hundred — a hundred being the best," said Tim Watkins, public affairs chief for the San Bernardino County Transportation Authority. "This one had a structural deficiency rating of two, literally single digit two."
Now, the bridge is reopening with the much-needed improvements.
The Mt. Vernon Avenue Bridge spans over 22 railroad tracks.
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Courtesy of San Bernardino County Transportation Authority
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A view of the new closed stamped column design railing on the Mt. Vernon Avenue Bridge.
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Courtesy of San Bernardino County Transportation Authority
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“There’ll be four lanes total, two lanes in each direction,” Watkins said. “A fully developed bike lane for bicyclists, as well as a fully developed standard sidewalk for ADA compliance.”
The historic bridge featured an open-air rail column that spanned its entire length, but the new one uses a taller metal rail with a closed column design.
“We did a solid stamping of that bridge rail to mimic that look. So that’s the nod to the old bridge,” Watkins said.
A bulk of the $244.8 million price tag to upgrade the bridge came from federal funding with nearly $40 million from the city.
The underside of the old Mt. Vernon Avenue Bridge, originally constructed in 1934.
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Courtesy of San Bernardino County Transportation Authority
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SBCTA
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The bridge sits above one of the largest rail yards in the region and spans 22 railroad tracks, according to Burlington Northern Santa Fe Railroad which operates the site.
“Nearly 60,000 vehicle trips daily were recorded by the city of San Bernardino as traveling back and forth across that bridge every day. So it served a critical piece,” Watkins said.
A ceremony is planned for 9:30 a.m. Saturday at the corner of Mt. Vernon Avenue and 2nd Street. The city says the event will host a car show, food trucks, music and performances from local schools.
There will also be a vendor and community resource fair.
The new Mt. Vernon Avenue Bridge reopens Aug. 23.
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Courtesy of San Bernardino County Transportation Authority
