ICON #48

Harbor Drive Pedestrian Bridge

San Diego's Shining Arc:
a Symbol of Spirit and Longevity Made Timeless

San Diego's skyline in California, USA, is a beautiful mix of natural beauty and remarkable buildings. In 2011, a new landmark was added to the scene: the Harbor Drive Pedestrian Bridge. More than just a pathway across the city's vibrant core, this bridge is an embodiment of San Diego's spirit, a tangible connection to its maritime heritage, crafted in gleaming steel and concrete. It's an invitation to experience the city's beauty from a breathtaking new perspective.

ICON.
EVOLVED.

Forget the heavy, industrial-looking structures of the past. Imagine a slender ribbon gracefully arcing across the sky, anchored by a bold, leaning tower that seems poised to dive headfirst into the bay. This striking, angled pylon is the very heart of the bridge, a powerful statement in design that feels both strikingly contemporary and somehow evocative of the tall ships that once sailed these very waters. Unlike bridges weighed down by heavy cables, this one performs a beautiful illusion, hiding its core strength within a smooth, stainless steel sheath. This clever design makes the bridge seem impossibly light, almost ethereal. As you stroll across its wide deck, suspended by a delicate dance of cables, you feel a sense of freedom, as if you're not just traversing the city, but floating within a masterpiece of design.

ICON.
EVOLVED.

Forget the heavy, industrial-looking structures of the past. Imagine a slender ribbon gracefully arcing across the sky, anchored by a bold, leaning tower that seems poised to dive headfirst into the bay. This striking, angled pylon is the very heart of the bridge, a powerful statement in design that feels both strikingly contemporary and somehow evocative of the tall ships that once sailed these very waters. Unlike bridges weighed down by heavy cables, this one performs a beautiful illusion, hiding its core strength within a smooth, stainless steel sheath. This clever design makes the bridge seem impossibly light, almost ethereal. As you stroll across its wide deck, suspended by a delicate dance of cables, you feel a sense of freedom, as if you're not just traversing the city, but floating within a masterpiece of design.

IS IT
FOREVER?

The Harbor Drive Bridge is more than just a pretty face; it's built to endure. San Diego's sun-drenched days and the salty kiss of the ocean breeze can be unforgiving. The bridge's designers knew this and made a smart choice by using stainless steel for key structural elements: the custom-fabricated posts that support the deck, and the welded pipe that conceals the main cable. Known for its exceptional resistance to rust and corrosion, this material is crucial to the bridge's ability to withstand the harsh marine environment. And so, the Harbor Drive Bridge stands, a vibrant part of San Diego's landscape for generations to come.

IS IT FOREVER?

The Harbor Drive Bridge is more than just a pretty face; it's built to endure. San Diego's sun-drenched days and the salty kiss of the ocean breeze can be unforgiving. The bridge's designers knew this and made a smart choice by using stainless steel for key structural elements: the custom-fabricated posts that support the deck, and the welded pipe that conceals the main cable. Known for its exceptional resistance to rust and corrosion, this material is crucial to the bridge's ability to withstand the harsh marine environment. And so, the Harbor Drive Bridge stands, a vibrant part of San Diego's landscape for generations to come.

Fact sheet

Icon

Harbor Drive Pedestrian Bridge

Location

San Diego, California USA

Year of construction

2011

Architect

Safdie Rabines Architects

Material

Outokumpu Forta DX 2205 stainless steel

FORTA

Challenge

The bridge’s design required a structural material capable of withstanding a harsh coastal environment while also providing exceptional strength and durability.

Solution

Outokumpu's Forta duplex stainless steel was chosen for its superior strength and corrosion resistance.

Impact

The selected material is perfectly suited for the demanding weather conditions.

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