City of Irvine Breaks Ground on JOST Bridge

(Left to Right): State Senator Dave Min, Mayor Farrah Khan, and Vice Mayor Larry Agran at the JOST Bridge Groundbreaking

With the recent groundbreaking on the Jeffrey Open Space Trail (JOST) bridge over the I-5 Freeway, the City has embarked on the last step — or last pedal — in the creation of a bicycle and pedestrian trail system linking the Pacific Ocean and the Santa Ana Mountains.
 
On March 28th, a group of City officials led by Mayor Farrah Khan and Vice Mayor Larry Agran — joined by State Senator Dave Min and contractor representatives — put their ceremonial shovels to use to officially begin the two-year construction project.
 
When completed, the 1,200-foot JOST bridge will be the longest bridge in the City and will be “a critical step in finishing the Jeffrey Open Space Trail and making the route more accessible to Irvine residents,” said Mayor Khan.
 
Senator Min secured $14.5 million in state funding for the project. “Connecting the Jeffrey Open Space Trail from the mountains to the coast will continue to make Orange County a central destination for those who love the outdoors,” he said.
 
The JOST bridge will be 15 feet wide and accommodate both cyclists and pedestrians. It will have LED lighting “to ensure it is as functional and aesthetically pleasing at night as it is during the day,” says the City website.
 
The bridge is due for completion in 2026 and is part of the final leg of the Jeffrey Open Space Trail that also includes creation of the last 1.5-mile stretch of trail, from Barranca Parkway to the I-5 … and over it. The plan also includes a rest area at Barranca and Jeffrey.
 
“Since its beginning, the City of Irvine has been second to none in its commitment to open space and outdoor recreational opportunities,” said Vice Mayor Agran. “This is the latest in a long list of accomplishments that we can all be proud of.”

• Author
• Recent Posts

Roger Bloom

Roger Bloom is a long-time Orange County journalist and two-time president of the Orange County Press Club. He was the founding editor of the Newport Beach Independent and is a former managing editor of the Orange County Business Journal. Mr. Bloom now serves as News Editor for Irvine Community News & Views.

Latest posts by Roger Bloom (see all)

• Residents in North Irvine Prove that Citizen Activism Works! - April 25, 2024
• The Deal That Keeps on Giving: The Gateway Preserve - April 22, 2024
• City of Irvine Breaks Ground on JOST Bridge - April 18, 2024