SACRAMENTO – Senator John Laird joined Seaside Mayor Ian Oglesby and local officials today to announce $550,000 in additional state funding to support the replacement of the San Pablo pedestrian bridge, restoring an important neighborhood connection that has been closed to residents since 2023.

Built in 1960, the bridge connects Lincoln Cunningham Park and Manzanita Stuart Park. Erosion and structural deterioration forced its closure three years ago, cutting off a walking route used by generations of Seaside residents. Replacing the bridge will reconnect the two parks, restore a safer route for students walking to school, and improve accessibility for families and residents of all ages and abilities.

“For three years, Seaside families and students have been without a bridge they relied on to get around their neighborhood,” said Laird. “Mayor Oglesby and Seaside city officials brought this issue to my attention during a visit more than a year ago, and I'm pleased we were able to secure the final funding needed to move the project forward. This is more than replacing a bridge. It's about giving families a safer route to school, reconnecting neighborhood parks, and making sure residents of all ages and abilities can enjoy these public spaces for generations to come.”

The $550,000 state investment complements $850,000 in federal funding secured by Congressman Jimmy Panetta, fully funding the approximately $1.4 million engineering, demolition, and replacement of the bridge itself. The City of Seaside has also allocated $640,000 through its Capital Improvement Program for related accessibility and trail improvements.

“The San Pablo Pedestrian Bridge has been part of Seaside's history since 1960, and its closure has left a real gap in our community,” said Oglesby. “We've been working to bring this connection back, and securing the remaining funding is a major step toward making that happen. We're grateful for the partnership with Senator Laird and Congressman Panetta that will allow us to move forward with replacing this important neighborhood bridge.”

“This bridge brings back a safe walking route for students and community members, and reconnects two neighborhood parks in Seaside,” said Monterey County Supervisor Wendy Root Askew. “Thank you to Senator Laird, Congressman Panetta, and Seaside’s leaders for committing to this project and getting it fully funded.”

The project is currently in the design phase, with final design anticipated by the end of 2027. Construction is expected to begin in July 2028. The replacement will provide an ADA-accessible connection between the parks, while the city continues pursuing additional grant funding for broader ADA-accessible trail improvements adjacent to the bridge.

The press conference was livestreamed on the City of Seaside's Facebook page. A recording of the event is available here.