Footbridge has grand opening

The pedestrian bridge at the Bolsa Chica Mesa, which connects the mesa to the Bolsa Chica Conservancy parking lot on Warner Avenue, is scheduled to have its official grand opening this morning.

State and local environmental groups, including the Bolsa Chica Land Trust, Amigos de Bolsa Chica and Bolsa Chica Conservancy, worked for seven years to raise money for the bridge. The steel structure, which cost more than $500,000, extends 145 feet and weighs about 70,000 pounds.

The bridge was installed in January, but has not been open to the public yet. Its main purpose is to provide a safe walkway to children and other groups who had to walk alongside traffic to reach the mesa.

The grand opening is set for 10:30 a.m. next to the conservancy.

— Michael Miller