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TRC selected to oversee rehab of San Francisco’s Lefty O’Doul Bridge

TRC selected to oversee rehab of San Francisco’s Lefty O’Doul Bridge

Lowell, Mass. and San Francisco — San Francisco Public Works selected TRC Companies Inc., an engineering, environmental consulting and construction-management services firm, to provide key design, environmental documentation and construction support services for rehabilitation of the historic Third Street Bridge, also known as the Lefty O’Doul Bridge in honor of the homegrown baseball legend.

Under the direction of San Francisco Public Works, TRC will lead a team of structural, bridge and environmental engineers to inspect and assess the condition of the drawbridge, which spans the Mission Creek Channel. The team will then prepare rehabilitation plans for the structure, which will allow the city to put the project out to bid. TRC will also be supporting the city during the construction process.

“The Third Street Bridge is a historic treasure and a key access point in downtown San Francisco,” said John Cowdery, TRC’s senior vice president and environmental sector director. “TRC is excited about performing this important work and helping ensure this iconic span continues to operate smoothly for generations to come.”

TRC is quite familiar with the structure, having played a key role in the last major reconstruction of the bridge in 1998.

The project will include repairing and replacing damaged steel members, welds, the concrete counterweight, support piles, bridge fenders, and portions of the bridge deck, as well as spot removal of rust and associated priming and recoating. TRC will help plan and coordinate the work of underwater divers and barge and raft crews installing temporary barriers and containment curtains.

The movable, single-leaf, heel trunnion type bascule bridge was opened on May 12, 1933. Its patented design was developed by Joseph Strauss of the Strauss Bascule Bridge Company, who also designed San Francisco’s Golden Gate Bridge.

A designated San Francisco landmark, the Third Street Bridge has been featured in several movies and TV shows, including Clint Eastwood’s “The Enforcer” and the James Bond film “A View to a Kill.”

Third Street is a significant north-south roadway that connects the Financial District, South of Market District, Mission Bay District, Dogpatch, Bayview, and a number of other districts along the highly traveled eastern edge of the city and county. It is also the primary link between AT&T Park and its major parking areas. During games, two traffic lanes are closed to vehicles to allow pedestrian access across the channel for the throngs of fans entering and leaving the ballpark.