The morning was filled with joy, community, and a bright red ribbon at the new Vista Canyon bridge on Tuesday.
Local dignitaries, city officials and workers, and community members were all in attendance to commemorate the occasion that has been a long time coming for Santa Clarita.
The roughly 800-foot long and 64-foot wide bridge has lanes for biking or walking, two lanes for cars and one emergency lane as well.
Mayor Laurene Weste was thrilled to see the bridge from the perspective of the people who live near Vista Canyon.
Weste said that the bridge featured raised planters to allow the foliage to bloom and added more safety barriers for cyclists to ride.
“This is going to provide direct access to the Vista Canyon multi-mode transit center, and creates action, access and options for drivers. Most importantly, safe pedestrian and cyclist access,” Weste said. “It also connects our trail system with the shared use sidewalk … there’s a new trail beneath and goes under the bridge, and is interconnected, is a running thing throughout the Santa Clarita trail system, which we’ve worked on for many years.”
Weste added that she was proud of the fact that the bridge was made with the intention and design of the surrounding wildlife and the Santa Clara River – mentioning the bat house that was built beneath the bridge. She also wanted to recognize the immense work of every agency involved with the project.
Jim Backer, owner of JSB Development, which is the Vista Canyon project developer, said this plan to build the bridge dated as far back as 2004 so being able to finally see it complete was gratifying.
“I think you can see today that the bridge is really critical for so many functions … You know, not only have direct access to Metrolink and the bus transfer station, but access to Vista Canyon from Soledad (Canyon Road), another fire access across the river for things over there,” Backer said.
Backer added that getting this project off the ground and being able to incorporate so many of their ideas was rewarding.
“Putting the oak trees at the entrance there and trying to keep a lot of our themes alive throughout the project … it has been amazing,” Backer said.
After dignitary recognitions and speeches, everyone walked to the bridge to see the ribbon cutting, cheering and clapping for the new beginning.
