A four-month shutdown of the iconic Cabrillo Bridge in Balboa Park to vehicle traffic began Thursday to accommodate a $38 million rehabilitation and retrofit project.
According to Caltrans, the work is being done to enhance the structural integrity of the 770-foot span, improve safety and bring it up current earthquake standards. Bridge accessibility will also be improved while the historically significant structure is preserved.
While a chain-link fence is up as a barrier to vehicles, one sidewalk is open to pedestrians and bicyclists.
"It's a landmark for San Diego," bicyclist Christopher Jones told 10News. "You come down (state Route) 163 and you see this beautiful bridge.
People talk about it. When you tell them about the bridge, they know exactly which bridge you're talking about."
Bicycles will have to be walked across the span while work is underway.
The city of San Diego has started tram service to get people around Balboa Park. Museums and other cultural institutions around the west side of the park will remain open during the duration of the bridge project, which is scheduled through April 30.
Another road project that will affect San Diego drivers is set to last just three days.
The work will consist of resurfacing and re-striping portions of Montezuma Road and Fairmount Avenue where they meet west of San Diego State University.
All westbound lanes of Montezuma Road will be closed from Yerba Santa Drive to Fairmount Avenue. The eastbound offramp lane to northbound Fairmount Avenue will also be shut down.
On Fairmount Avenue itself, the two northbound lanes under the Montezuma Road overpass will be reduced to one lane, and traffic control will impact access to eastbound Interstate 8, according to the city.
The project is expected to be competed by Saturday at 8 p.m.
