Talk:San Diego–Coronado Bridge

Isn't it known as a "Bay Bridge"? --Geopgeop 05:45, 24 March 2006 (UTC)

No. It's known as the "Coronado Bridge," or, occasionally simply "the Bridge" by Coronadans, but I've never heard the word "bay" used to describe the bridge except as "San Diego Bay Bridge" or "Coronado Bay Bridge" (which I acknowledge is factually inaccurate).Londubh (talk) 03:38, 24 March 2009 (UTC)

Floating Bridge

A local San Diego news report interviewed a CalTrans employee that categorically stated that the bridge would not float. Here's a link to the article (and video): [1]. Does a link to a local news video count as a reliable enough source to removed the floating comment in the main article? --C33 09:34, 23 November 2006 (UTC)

Anchorman

I believe the bridge scene in Anchorman was actually set in Mission Bay. As noted in the Wiki the bridge is not designed for foot traffic and stopped traffic. The bridge scene in Anchorman was a one way, two lane road, Coronado Bridge goes both ways with five overall lanes.

I, too, believe the scene in Anchorman was from Mission Bay, and not on the Coronado bridge. --Eric Bekins 07:32, 13 February 2007 (UTC)

QUESTION: I don't get it. This part of the article makes no sense. If the scene wasn't filmed on the bridge, the bridge wasn't mentioned in the movie, the view from the bridge shows that it isn't the bridge, and everything you guys say shows it isn't the bridge....then why is it even mentioned in the article in the first place. The whole mention of the movie regarding the bridge should be deleted.....or am I missing something here? I think I'll delete it without a reason why it should be mentioned-Brian-

The scene is filmed elsewhere, but it's 'bookended' by two long shots of the Coronado Bridge. I don't think it merits a mention in the article, though, so I'd support a delete. MFNickster (talk) 06:07, 3 September 2008 (UTC)

Fastrak usage?

If anyone can help me, I am looking for a source to verify the start date that the electronic toll collection system FasTrak was first accepted on the Coronado Bridge (of course, before toll collection eventually stopped in 2002). Thanks. Zzyzx11 (Talk) 17:14, 12 February 2007 (UTC)

I'm fairly certain that that's not the case; the only lanes that didn't require stopping were the carpool lanes. I know the HOV lanes on the 15 use them, and have for many years.Londubh (talk) 03:26, 24 March 2009 (UTC)

Removed POV

I removed this section from the article:

(referring to the lack of shoulders or "break-down lanes") It has been said that the reason for this was to prevent persons from leaping off the bridge to commit suicide. However, between 1972 and 2000, more than 200 suicides occurred on the bridge [2]. Considering the volume of traffic on the bridge as of 2006, should a vehicle break down or encounter another problem, it will almost certainly cause a serious collision, as there is nowhere for the disabled vehicle to go, and no way for oncoming traffic (at the posted speed limit of 50 mph) to avoid it. Another defect of this design is that it is impossible to use a bicycle to cross San Diego Bay: cyclists must either transport their machines across on the ferry at a cost (April 2006) of $3.25 each way, or travel the long way to or from Coronado via the Silver Strand.

Reasons:

1. There is no source for "It has been said that the reason for this was to prevent persons from leaping off the bridge to commit suicide". Who said that? When?
2. Even if there were a source for that claim, it could be considered Original Research to imply that the lack of shoulders has failed to cut-down on suicides. One could just as well argue that if there were shoulders that there would have been even more suicides.
3. Concerning bicycles, it is pro-bicycle POV to claim that the lack of a bike path constitutes a "defect". While some people might consider a bike path to be desirable, there could have been other trade-offs, such as less cost or even less environmental impact to leave out a bike path. This is speculation, of course, so it does not belong in the aritcle. Similarly, saying that the lack of a bike lane is a defect is POV that does not belong in the article.
4. Also, bicycles are generally permitted to use regular vehicle lanes, so the lack of a specific bicycle path does not mean that bicycles cannot use the bridge. It is true that they are prohibited from interstates and some other highways, so it is possible they are prohibited, but that should be sourced before it goes into the article. Johntex\^talk 16:53, 25 April 2007 (UTC)

About its length, shape and funding

I read here that the bridge was made curved, being longer than needed, just to get federal money to help pay for it.

"Phil Cohen has this to say about the Coronado Bridge:

   The original design for the Coronado Bridge was a much shorter, and almost straight span to the Island (actually, peninsula). Then in order to qualify
   for federal funding, (whereby our government pays most of the tab), the City of San Diego curved and lengthened the bridge to meet the minimum length
   standard that would qualify the Coronado Bridge for Federal funding.

How about that for an unintended consequence of taxpayer funding. They help you if yours is a long bridge, so San Diego builds a long bridge instead of a short bridge!" http://www.samizdata.net/blog/archives/005561.html

 —Preceding unsigned comment added by 63.193.144.79 (talk) 10:41, 18 June 2008 (UTC) 

Nonsense. The length was required to accommodate the navigation/height requirements the Navy put forth while still allowing vehicles to ascend & descend the grade safely.Londubh (talk) 04:18, 24 March 2009 (UTC)

According to Robert Mosher, the consulting architect of the bridge, its length was determined by the navigation/height requirements as written above.

Factual Innacuracies

I'm not comfortable with editing articles, but there are a few things that I know, as a Coronado native, which are either contrary to the article or simply don't appear. They are as follows.

• The bridge toll was originally collected both eastbound and westbound, at 60¢ each way.
• In 1980, the toll was removed from the eastbound lanes. (Presumably due to the effects of traffic congestion, also presumably the eastbound toll booths were removed around this time). To maintain revenue, the westbound toll was increased to $1.20.
• The traffic was so much greater than expected that the bond was paid off in half the time expected (69-86, 17 years ahead of expected date, as seen in the first reference link).
• At some point, the toll was reduced to $1, and a free carpool lane added (not necessarily the same time).
• Bridge tickets, as of at least the 90's and through the end of the tolls, were sold in books of 40, for $24 (60¢ each).
• Traffic across the bridge increased significantly (10-25%?) when the toll was removed.
• The City of Coronado repeatedly shot down the idea of a bridge whenever San Diego brought it up in SANDAG (with help from other cities?), until the rules governing SANDAG changed from votes by municipality to votes by population.
• Prior to the opening of the bridge there used to be a ferry that transported pedestrians and vehicles from Downtown San Diego to approximately the foot of Orange Avenue in Coronado. This ceased operation due to a law that prohibited competing business within a certain distance (3 miles?) of a state toll road.

Londubh (talk) 04:13, 24 March 2009 (UTC)

Official Name of the Bridge

The official name of the bridge is the San Diego-Coronado Bay Bridge. —Preceding unsigned comment added by Patrice62 (talk • contribs) 17:34, 3 November 2010 (UTC)