Bike path under Coronado Bridge? (safe, ferry, estimated)

[tonyinsd]

Originally Posted by Matt518

Hmmm....so currently the only way to bike to or from Coronado is to go through IB (sans taking a ferry of course)?

I did the ferry. It's actually kind of fun. I was going to do the IB route but then I was like, you know, I'm tired. Let me do the Silver Strand back and then take the ferry.

[Jenkay]

Originally Posted by Matt518

Hmmm....so currently the only way to bike to or from Coronado is to go through IB (sans taking a ferry of course)?

Yup. But the ferry is actually really awesome. It's a really nice part of the ride around the bay.

I would probably use the bike path under the bridge, and I love the whole idea of it, but the ferry will always have special place in my heart too.

[e30is]

It's a good idea. It would make biking around that area fun.

[T. Damon]

Wasn't the cost of that offset suspension bridge between Petco Park and the new Hilton Hotel over Harbor Dr. upwards of $27 million, basically accessing a parking lot and the bay beyond?

This seems like a bargain for an even bolder design for a few more that would potentially become the San Diego version of the immensely popular Brooklyn Bridge pedestrian/bicycle crossing, only much cooler and more exciting to be hanging under the bridge!

I say go for it!

[Larry Siegel]

It's a neat idea, but in a state where public employees aren't getting their pensions, the schools haven't had decent funding in decades, and the wealthy are leaving the state, an extra $50 million is something of a slap in the face to the taxpayer. Bicyclists (I am one) can put their bikes on the bus.

[Jenkay]

Originally Posted by Larry Siegel

It's a neat idea, but in a state where public employees aren't getting their pensions, the schools haven't had decent funding in decades, and the wealthy are leaving the state, an extra $50 million is something of a slap in the face to the taxpayer. Bicyclists (I am one) can put their bikes on the bus.

Depends on where the money comes from, doesn't it? If it's port commission money, for example, it's not like the taxpayers/schools/public employees (of which I am one) would ever see a cent of it except for projects like these.

[sdurbanite]

I like the idea, but does it have to be under the bridge? Why not build it on top of (a la Brooklyn Bridge) or on the side (Golden Gate Bridge), to avoid that enclosed feeling? I like to see the sky when I'm outside.

[Larry Siegel]

Originally Posted by Jenkay

Depends on where the money comes from, doesn't it? If it's port commission money, for example, it's not like the taxpayers/schools/public employees (of which I am one) would ever see a cent of it except for projects like these.

I am not an expert on state finances so I can't answer your question. You may have a point. My impression is that every dollar saved by a government agency is a dollar a taxpayer somewhere won't have to pay.

I do know that if a project is supposed to cost $50 million, then it is very likely to cost more than $100 million by the time it's done.

[1AngryTaxPayer]

Originally Posted by Larry Siegel

It's a neat idea, but in a state where public employees aren't getting their pensions, the schools haven't had decent funding in decades, and the wealthy are leaving the state, an extra $50 million is something of a slap in the face to the taxpayer. Bicyclists (I am one) can put their bikes on the bus.

Which public employees aren't getting their pensions? Didn't we just pass prop 30 to address the schools?

[shmoov_groovzsd]

Originally Posted by Jenkay

Depends on where the money comes from, doesn't it? If it's port commission money, for example, it's not like the taxpayers/schools/public employees (of which I am one) would ever see a cent of it except for projects like these.

Precisely. This is exactly why City Govts create these districts within their city. The state has been notorious at diving into Cities' general funds. What these districts do is basically earmark certain monies for said districts and potential projects within those districts.

Generallyspeaking, there are many other factors that come into it, but they are their own legal entities even though the City manages them.
IN the case of the bridge, there already may have been funds there to be spent which can ONLY be spent within that district for specific types of projects.

So its not as easy as having one big pot of cash and then splitting it up after the fact. These funds need to be spent. The only time I have seen this stide stepped is if a particular district has a ton of cash and no projects. They can actually lend money to another district with interest even though the city council controls interest for all of the districts.

Now as far as this bridge goes, I agree with everyone else here. We take the ferry and love it...just so relaxing. Or we start down the Silver Strand and head north towards downtown Coronado. BUt I agree with sdurbanite and am wondering why underneath? Might be easier I suppose if its a suspension type bridge to simply annex below rather than on the side or above.

This bridge would certainly benefit the Bay shore trail especially now that the power plant is gone in CV. I think I had read that the bikeway plan is 60% complete. I see this kind of project as a huge driver for getting more folks on their bikes and to head to Coronado and back.