Originally Posted by
mstraus
Would be very interesting if they completed a bike path all the way across the Bay Bridge. Seems like they would have to remove a lane on the western span to do this, or is there some other proposal?
There is a proposal for a "hanging" bike path that would attach to the side of the bridge.
One article described it this way:
The plan envisions a pair of pathways that would be cantilevered off both sides of the upper deck of the bridge. One path would be set aside for pedalers and pedestrians; the other would be reserved for Caltrans maintenance vehicles. But both paths could be shared.
I think the "maintenance" angle will help as a selling point. I've also seen it suggested that the paths could be used for emergency access, which would be very useful considering how often the bridge is clogged with bumper-to-bumper traffic.
Another selling point is that the bike path on the new eastern span is already very popular, even though it is incomplete. At this point, the path doesn't even make it to Yerba Buena Island, which connects the east and west spans. The problem is the new eastern span squeezes right next to the old eastern span at the end that meets the island. In other words, the old span is literally in the way, so it has to be dismantled before the path can be completed. This is predicted to take another 1-2 years. But that hasn't stopped people from riding the new path. This was so great to see, especially after years of hearing/reading naysayers proclaim that "nobody" would use the path and that it was a waste of money. Such objections seem to have fallen silent ever since this article came out:
Cyclists, pedestrians jam new Bay Bridge path
If the path has proven this popular in its current state as the "world's longest pier," imagine how much more popular it will be when it reaches the island, and how much more popular still if it's continued all the way to SF!