The century-old Cabrillo Bridge in Balboa Park reopened to motor vehicles Monday following a five-month shutdown for maintenance.
A vintage Buick is among the first to cross at today's reopening of the deck on the Cabrillo Bridge in Balboa Park. pic.twitter.com/EfhTMukXEY
— Caltrans San Diego (@SDCaltrans) June 2, 2014
The landmark overpass of state Route 163 had been closed to vehicles since the beginning of the year for a seismic retrofit project.
"This bridge will last for another hundred years, for generations of San Diegans to enjoy," Mayor Kevin Faulconer said at a midday ceremony that took place shortly before cars and trucks were allowed through.
The project by Caltrans to strengthen the bridge will continue through the fall, but traffic is now allowed to cross the roadway and enter Balboa Park. The bridge had been open only to pedestrians and bicyclists.
Workers are reinforcing the bridge's seven pedestals with an integrated mesh of steel reinforcements that will make it more resilient during an earthquake.
The bridge was first built for the 1915 Panama-California Exposition, the centennial of which will be commemorated next year.
