A long-serving pedestrian bridge in the city of Seaside that was closed in 2023 will get an $850,000 boost in federal funding that will allow it to reopen, according to the office of U.S. Rep. Jimmy Panetta, D-Santa Cruz.
The San Pablo Pedestrian Bridge was built in 1960 but was restricted after maintenance needs piled up. It connects Lincoln-Cunningham Park and Manzanita-Stuart Park over busy San Pablo Avenue below.
Panetta, who worked to include funding for the bridge’s repair in the most recent congressional appropriations budget, called the bridge “iconic.” He celebrated its planned reopening with other local elected leaders and school officials this past Friday.
“The San Pablo Pedestrian Bridge Project will not only restore the bridge, but it will also make it universally accessible so that children, families, and seniors can continue to play, walk, and travel safely in Seaside,” Panetta said in a statement.
Seaside Mayor Ian Oglesby said the improvements will help make the bridge safe for students to have reliable access to area campuses and parks, particularly, those at International School of Monterey.
“This project will improve pedestrian safety, strengthen neighborhood connectivity, and support our Safe Routes to School corridor for students and families,” Oglesby said in a statement.”
Jessica Allen, Head of School at International School of Monterey, said the bridge was an essential access point for students to be connected with the community around them.
“The bridge is more than infrastructure to us — it is an essential part of our students’ daily lives,” Allen said in a statement. ” It provides a safe route to and from school, ensures access to a secure emergency relocation site, and connects our community to vital parks and shared spaces that support student health and development.”
The funding was part of nearly $1.8 million that Panetta’s office said he had secured for Monterey County quality of life projects.