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Piedmont to replace small park bridge; installation to be crane‑set after off‑site fabrication
Summary
Using Prop 68 funds, city staff said the small pedestrian bridge over Bushy Dell Creek will be fabricated off‑site to limit creek disturbance, require new abutments and temporary trail closures, and — weather permitting — could be craned into place in February or early March.
City recreation staff reported progress on a Prop 68‑funded project to replace a small pedestrian bridge in Piedmont Park that spans the outflow of Bushy Dell Creek. Staff said the city split a per‑capita Prop 68 grant between two projects — completed hard‑court renovations at Piedmont Middle School and the bridge replacement — and selected an off‑site fabrication approach to reduce on‑site disturbance.
"It's being fabricated as we speak," staff said, describing the structure as a wood‑decked bridge with a truss‑like side profile and a natural metal finish that will weather rather than be painted. Staff said the new bridge will sit on newly built abutments set further uphill to preserve the creek profile; the existing piers will remain in place because they could not be re‑certified for reuse. Installation will require truck access coordinated with PUSD (the district controls the nearest access) and a large crane to lower the prefabricated span into place. The projected window for installation is February, slipping to early March if there are weather delays.
Staff warned of a temporary trail closure and said the city will post signs to direct pedestrians to alternate routes. Commissioners asked about exact trail location, whether a drinking fountain could be added near a popular bench, and how the city will limit environmental impact during construction. Staff said there is no potable water meter at the bench location now, so adding a fountain would require new meter work and is more costly than currently budgeted. Staff committed to notifying commissioners when the crane date is scheduled so members can observe installation.
Next steps: confirm final schedule with the fabricator and PUSD, install abutments on site, and post detour and environmental‑protection information prior to crane installation.
