Mike Gotch Memorial Bridge finally opens amid huge fanfare

After a quarter-century of attempts to bring it to fruition, Mission Bay’s bicycle and pedestrian paths were officially connected April 22 when the Mike Gotch Memorial Bridge was formally opened amid public fanfare and celebration. The ribbon-cutting and dedication ceremony was held on the east side of the bridge over Rose Creek near the entrance to Mission Bay Golf Course. District 2 City Councilman Kevin Faulconer was among the many dignitaries on hand for the celebration. “We are here today honoring [former City Councilman Mike Gotch] because he was very involved with the Mission Bay Park Master Plan that included connecting this path,” Faulconer said. “The folks in the community decided to name the bridge after him as a tribute to Mike.” City officials, bicycle enthusiasts and community leaders hailed the Mike Gotch Memorial Bridge as the vital missing link between the existing regional bicycle network that connects the existing bicycle facility along Pacific Beach Drive to the bikeway at North Mission Bay Drive, next to Rose Creek. Gotch, a Mission Beach resident who served in District 6 of the City Council from 1979 to 1987, passed away in 2008. Gotch also served as president of the Mission Beach Town Council. Gotch later served two terms in California Assembly Districts 78 and 76 from 1990-94, which encompassed Mission Beach and Pacific Beach. Faulconer briefly addressed guests, along with Steve Alexander, the former chairman of the Mission Bay Park Committee; Michael Gelfand, president of Campland on the Bay; and Tony Heinrichs, director of the city’s Public Works Department. The remarks were followed by a visual reinforcement, with a fleet of bicycles and pedestrians ceremoniously crossing the bridge. One feature of the bridge is that it is arched in the middle, which was intended by its designers. “We built it that way because, over time, it will settle,” said senior city bridge engineer Frank Gaines. “In 30 years, the middle will be about 18 inches lower, so we designed with that in mind.” In addition to connecting all bicycle and pedestrian paths locally, Mission Bay Park is now fully connected to Campland on the Bay, which opened in 1969. “I think this is a fantastic thing for the citizens of San Diego and, particularly, for guests of Campland, who now have a safe way to reach 100 percent of Mission Bay Park,” said Gelfand. He said the bridge had been in the works for 25 years and that it was originally intended for vehicles. However, the city did not have the funds until federal stimulus money became available for the construction. “We’re not only celebrating the connection from Mission Bay but honoring Mike, who was a strong supporter of anyone who enjoyed using our beautiful parks,” Faulconer said.