balboa island bridge
newport beach, california
MacDonald Architects provided aesthetic consulting, in collaboration with Dokken Engineering, to create a visually pleasing seismic retrofit of the existing Balboa Island Bridge in Newport Beach, California.
This reinforced concrete T-beam bridge lies in close proximity to local homes and businesses, making the retrofit an ideal solution because it would not disrupt the surrounding community during construction like building an entirely new bridge would.
MacDonald Architects proposed the building of a pedestrian/bicycle path to hide the unsightly underside of the structure. The design of the pedestrian/bicycle path created a continuity and a rhythm with the bridge's arched base that achieves the client's goal of a more elegant bridge. This pedestrian/bicycle path also adds a much needed transportation element for local residents.