A little bit of rain couldn’t stop anxious onlookers in the Banker’s Hill area from coming out to witness the ribbon-cutting ceremony Feb. 22 celebrating the reopening of the Historic First Avenue Bridge over Maple Canyon. The bridge, which serves both pedestrians and vehicles, is located on First Avenue at West Palm Street. “This is a remarkable achievement,” District 2 City Councilman Kevin Faulconer said. “This is a very important day for this community.” The bridge was originally built in 1931 and overlooks a patch of rolling green wilderness just a short distance from downtown. In addition to the serene canyon below, the bridge also offers excellent views of San Diego Bay, Coronado and Point Loma. Besides the view the bridge provides, it makes the lives of residents more convenient. Work on the project began in November 2008. During construction, people were forced to find alternate routes to get in and out of the neighborhood. For, many this meant going four or five blocks out of their way. “We’re very excited from a convenience standpoint,” local resident Marilyn Miles said. Public transportation was also an issue. The number 11 bus, which passes over the bridge, was forced to make a detour during the closure. The change confused some residents who had a hard time figuring out where to get on and off the bus after the route changed. Now the bus can assume its previous and more direct route. Work on the bridge encompassed three essential parts. First, it needed a seismic retrofit to prevent collapse in the event of an earthquake. Second, the bridge was cleaned of its lead paint and repainted in its original vibrant colors. Finally, street lighting to match the bridge’s historical beginnings were put in place. “We like the way it looks,” Miles said. “We’re really appreciative that they put the lights up. It gives a feel of days gone by.” Like many big construction projects there were some unforeseen delays including the discovery of an owl’s nest that stopped work for about a week.