There are two projects that I’ve been hearing about since I moved to E’ville 10 years ago: The Bike/Pedestrian bridge to Bay St., and the Greenway project. Never in my wildest dreams would I have guessed that the new eastern span of the bay bridge would be completed before them but it looks to be the case (Construction for the bridge started in 2002).

Delays in planning of the Bike/Ped bridge and the ill-timed withdrawal of the redevelopment agency funds allotted to its construction have put the bridge in peril. The city is now suing the state to recoup these funds but even if they are successful (unlikely), the bridge would be years away from completion. The Greenway continues to inch along as the section at Hollis and Powell awaits approval from the DTSC to begin construction.

When the Eastern Bay Bridge span is completed in September, the route for bikes and pedestrians will begin at IKEA, head south underneath the maze, then alongside the freeway, bypassing the toll plaza on its way to the new bridge. The bike path itself will abruptly end shy of Treasure Island until the demolition of the notorious S-Curve will allow for its completion in 2015. The span is slated to open with plans for a public bash on Labor Day weekend with activities centered around the yet to be built Gateway Park. Local involvement in the festivities is still being determined but it represents a great opportunity to showcase the city and its ambitions to be bike & Pedestrian friendly. Hopefully it will inspire the city to finish what it started!  | More on SF.CBSLocal.com →