Lake Hodges Bridge
Encyclopedia
The Lake Hodges Bridge is a component of Interstate 15
that spans Lake Hodges
, just south of Escondido, California
. Lake Hodges Bridge is an important part of San Diego's North-South transportation axis.
The original bridge was constructed in 1919. The bridge later became integrated into the newly constructed U.S. Route 395. As part of a roadway realignment and improvement project, the original structure was demolished in 1968, and replaced with a new structure in 1969. That bridge was subsequently replaced in 1981, when I-15
was built to supersede US 395.
Currently, the bridge is one of the major traffic headaches in North San Diego County. The nature of the lake and the surrounding land makes the bridge the only way into the city of San Diego on the inland route. The only two major ways around the bridge are the Del Dios Highway, a two-lane winding road to Interstate 5
via Del Mar
, and the 25 miles (40.2 km) trip through Ramona
into Escondido. Although paved access roads through the San Pasqual Valley to the east of Lake Hodges do exist, they are lightly traveled and are not designed to handle heavy traffic. The bridge is thus effectively the only crossing point for drivers on the route.
The current bridge is a concrete viaduct
. It was widened and replaced in 2006-2009 as part of a project to add managed lanes in the I-15
corridor.
Depending on the amount of rainfall in San Diego County, Lake Hodges's water level fluctuates significantly. As such, Lake Hodges Bridge may cross over water or a dry lake bed from time to time. Due to the vast amount of vegetation that springs up when water levels are low, the area below the bridge has been jokingly referred to as "Hodges National Forest".
/bicycle
bridge located immediately to the west of the I-15 span opened to the public on May 15, 2009. It is of a stress-ribbon
design, the longest of its type in the world, and only the sixth to have been built in the US. This design was chosen for having the least impact on environmentally sensitive habitats in the construction area. This span is officially named the David Kreitzer Lake Hodges Bicycle Pedestrian Bridge, after a retired planning commissioner.
Interstate 15 in California
In the U.S. state of California, Interstate 15 is a major north–south route through the San Bernardino, Riverside, and San Diego Counties, and it has a length of in the state. It is a major thoroughfare for traffic between Southern California and Las Vegas, Nevada, as well as points beyond...
that spans Lake Hodges
Lake Hodges
Lake Hodges is a lake and reservoir located in Southern California, about north of San Diego and just south of Escondido, California. When full, the reservoir has , a maximum water depth of , and of shoreline. Interstate 15 crosses Lake Hodges via the Lake Hodges Bridge...
, just south of Escondido, California
Escondido, California
Escondido is a city occupying a shallow valley ringed by rocky hills, just north of the city of San Diego, California. Founded in 1888, it is one of the oldest cities in San Diego County. The city had a population of 143,911 at the 2010 census. Its municipal government set itself an operating...
. Lake Hodges Bridge is an important part of San Diego's North-South transportation axis.
The original bridge was constructed in 1919. The bridge later became integrated into the newly constructed U.S. Route 395. As part of a roadway realignment and improvement project, the original structure was demolished in 1968, and replaced with a new structure in 1969. That bridge was subsequently replaced in 1981, when I-15
Interstate 15 in California
In the U.S. state of California, Interstate 15 is a major north–south route through the San Bernardino, Riverside, and San Diego Counties, and it has a length of in the state. It is a major thoroughfare for traffic between Southern California and Las Vegas, Nevada, as well as points beyond...
was built to supersede US 395.
Currently, the bridge is one of the major traffic headaches in North San Diego County. The nature of the lake and the surrounding land makes the bridge the only way into the city of San Diego on the inland route. The only two major ways around the bridge are the Del Dios Highway, a two-lane winding road to Interstate 5
Interstate 5 in California
Interstate 5 is a major north–south route of the Interstate Highway System in the U.S. state of California. It begins at the Mexico – United States border at the San Ysidro crossing, goes north across the length of California and crosses into Oregon south of the Medford-Ashland metropolitan...
via Del Mar
Del Mar, California
Del Mar is an upscale beach town in San Diego County, California. The population was 4,161 at the 2010 census, down from 4,389 at the 2000 census. The San Diego County Fair is hosted on the Del Mar Fairgrounds every summer. Del Mar is Spanish for "of the sea" or "by the sea", because it is located...
, and the 25 miles (40.2 km) trip through Ramona
Ramona, California
Ramona is a census-designated place in San Diego County, California. The population was 20,292 at the 2010 census.The term Ramona also refers to an unincorporated community that includes both the Ramona CDP and the adjacent CDP of San Diego Country Estates CDP...
into Escondido. Although paved access roads through the San Pasqual Valley to the east of Lake Hodges do exist, they are lightly traveled and are not designed to handle heavy traffic. The bridge is thus effectively the only crossing point for drivers on the route.
The current bridge is a concrete viaduct
Viaduct
A viaduct is a bridge composed of several small spans. The term viaduct is derived from the Latin via for road and ducere to lead something. However, the Ancient Romans did not use that term per se; it is a modern derivation from an analogy with aqueduct. Like the Roman aqueducts, many early...
. It was widened and replaced in 2006-2009 as part of a project to add managed lanes in the I-15
Interstate 15 in California
In the U.S. state of California, Interstate 15 is a major north–south route through the San Bernardino, Riverside, and San Diego Counties, and it has a length of in the state. It is a major thoroughfare for traffic between Southern California and Las Vegas, Nevada, as well as points beyond...
corridor.
Depending on the amount of rainfall in San Diego County, Lake Hodges's water level fluctuates significantly. As such, Lake Hodges Bridge may cross over water or a dry lake bed from time to time. Due to the vast amount of vegetation that springs up when water levels are low, the area below the bridge has been jokingly referred to as "Hodges National Forest".
Pedestrian/bicycle bridge
A separate pedestrianPedestrian
A pedestrian is a person traveling on foot, whether walking or running. In some communities, those traveling using roller skates or skateboards are also considered to be pedestrians. In modern times, the term mostly refers to someone walking on a road or footpath, but this was not the case...
/bicycle
Bicycle
A bicycle, also known as a bike, pushbike or cycle, is a human-powered, pedal-driven, single-track vehicle, having two wheels attached to a frame, one behind the other. A person who rides a bicycle is called a cyclist, or bicyclist....
bridge located immediately to the west of the I-15 span opened to the public on May 15, 2009. It is of a stress-ribbon
Stressed ribbon bridge
A stressed ribbon bridge is a tension structure . The suspension cables are embedded in the deck which follows a catenary arc between supports. Unlike the simple span the ribbon is stressed in compression, which adds to the stiffness of the structure...
design, the longest of its type in the world, and only the sixth to have been built in the US. This design was chosen for having the least impact on environmentally sensitive habitats in the construction area. This span is officially named the David Kreitzer Lake Hodges Bicycle Pedestrian Bridge, after a retired planning commissioner.