Highland Avenue Bridge

Traffic Railing Replacement Completed March 2016

June 11, 2015 - The Highland Avenue Bridge closed for 6 months of construction.  Traffic rail replacement work included, demolishing and replacing the traffic rails. The Highland Avenue Bridge spans over San Jose Avenue which provides connection to downtown and the 280 freeway.  The bridge closure was largely due to efforts to maintain safe access on San Jose Avenue for Muni light rail, vehicular traffic, bicyclists, and pedestrians. If the rails were not located on a bridge that spans over another roadway, the rail replacement work would most likely have been accomplished in two to three months. Before demolition work could begin, scaffolding was constructed on the bridge which included an overhang portion extending beyond the bridge. The overhang portion was designed to catch all debris from falling onto the traffic below on San Jose Avenue. 

Most of the scaffolding construction work had to be performed at night when traffic volume on San Jose Ave is low and Muni service would not be disrupted.  

Contractors worked over the Muni tracks early Sunday mornings and over San Jose Ave during weeknights.

September 2, 2015 – Crews began demolition work and replacement work.
December 5-6, 2015 – Scaffolding removed. Debris netting removed. 
December 8, 2015 - The Highland Avenue Bridge was reopened to traffic.

Fun Facts

The Highland Avenue Bridge was originally constructed circa 1929.  The arch structure and bridge lighting were added circa 1972.  In 2012, Public Works placed a polyester concrete overlay on the bridge deck.  Slope paving at the embankments was added in early 2014.