SAN DIEGO — The Vermont Street pedestrian bridge, which connects University Heights and Hillcrest, has finally regained its illumination, alleviating safety concerns voiced by local residents.
On Monday, CBS 8’s Abbie Black reported on the alarming lack of lighting on the bridge, highlighting how it hindered access to nearby shopping and dining options after dark.
The following day, residents received an email from the University Heights Community Association confirming that the lights were turned back on.
“After Abbie Black’s feature piece on [CBS 8], the lights on the Vermont Street Pedestrian bridge are on! We all are so appreciative of Abbie for shining the light (no pun intended) on this critical issue for all of us who cross the bridge. THANK YOU!!” the email stated.
This issue was particularly significant for many residents, as the pedestrian bridge had been left in darkness for months.
Community leaders reported that the lights had been out since August 2024, causing residents to shy away from using the bridge at night, which disrupted their access to essential services in the area.
One frequent user of the bridge described the nighttime experience as a perilous one, saying, “It’s pitch black at night, and it’s a death call, for sure.”
The absence of lighting on the bridge has heightened concerns about safety, especially since unhoused individuals occasionally gather on the structure during the day.
When CBS 8 covered the situation, they witnessed emergency responders attending to a group of unsheltered people on the bridge.
Deborah Morrison, secretary of the University Heights Community Association (UHCA), expressed her apprehensions: “The danger is there because sometimes when you can’t see from one end of the bridge to the other and you get halfway across, and somebody is laying there, and you don’t know what kind of mental condition they’re in. It’s frightening.”
According to city records, more than 30 maintenance requests regarding the streetlights on the bridge have been submitted through San Diego’s “Get It Done” website this year alone.
Residents voiced frustration over multiple missed deadlines for repairs.
“Twice, they said they would be out in November. Then they said it was going to be the end of April, and now they said it’s undetermined,” Morrison detailed.
City transportation department spokesperson Anthony Santacroce acknowledged the ongoing issues with the bridge’s lighting.
He explained that while repairs were made last fall, acts of vandalism and tampering had led to repeated failures.
The cost of replacement anti-theft, tamper-proof light boxes is approximately $400 each, and they require up to two months for delivery.
The troubles with the Vermont Street Pedestrian Bridge are part of a larger, citywide issue.
San Diego currently has over 5,000 street light maintenance reports waiting for attention, with an average repair turnaround time of around 500 days.
The city’s budget constraints were cited as a key reason for these delays.
In an official statement, the city noted, “Unfortunately, due to current budget constraints, all general fund overtime has been suspended and our streetlight electricians are currently fully committed to meeting legally mandated underground utility locate requests, which limits our ability to perform routine streetlight maintenance. At this time, we are only able to respond to emergencies such as pole knockdowns or hazardous electrical conditions.”
Marc Johnson, President of UHCA, emphasized the necessity for prioritized repairs on pedestrian bridges.
He remarked, “When you look at prioritization, something like this, where it’s a lifeline and supports the city’s climate action programs, encouraging biking and walking, this kind of major throughway should be prioritized higher than others.”
The office of Councilmember Stephen Whitburn has recognized the urgency of the matter and is actively collaborating with city officials to ensure that repairs are given immediate attention.
Originally built and rededicated in 1994, replacing an earlier wooden bridge that was demolished in 1979 due to safety concerns, the Vermont Street Pedestrian Bridge continues to serve as a crucial link between the residential University Heights community and Hillcrest’s commercial district.
image source from：https://www.cbs8.com/article/news/local/working-for-you/the-light-back-on-vermont-st-pedestrian-bridge-working-for-you-successon/509-1468b85f-b208-486f-8bff-643bc64fa488
