Project Info
Art is present in most aspects of the Solana Beach Coastal Rail Trail from the walkways, seatwalls, entryway, the public art displayed, and the pedestrian crossings. As a subconsultant to TYLin International, Schmidt Design Group, Inc. created design themes and aesthetic treatments for two pedestrian bridges on the Solana Beach Coastal Rail Trail which take pedestrians safely from one side of the train tracks to the other.
The Rosa Street Bridge included recycled ground glass in the paving to reflect the colors of the sunset ranging from deep purple to bright yellow. Further enhancing the sun (Solana) theme are poems by Walt Whitman, William Shakespeare, and Helen Keller which are sand blasted along the edges of the bridge’s walking surface.
The Cliff Street Bridge is themed after the shoreline edge and beach which are the prime features identifying the community, as well as the Spanish language from where the City of Solana Beach’s name originates. Colors and textures in the bridge paving panels represent the bluff and beach. Between each concrete panel is sand blasted text with English-Spanish translations of words associated with life along the ocean, such as “beach-playa”.
Awards
- Award of Excellence, American Society of Civil Engineers
- Alternative Mode Project of the Year, California Transportation Award
- Cornerstone Concrete Award of Excellence, Southern California Ready Mixed Concrete Association
- Innovative Concrete Award, San Diego International Chapter American Concrete Institute
- First Place (Rosa Street Bridge), Concrete Products Decorative and Durable Designs Concrete Pavement Awards