Above I-5, August 11 brought an unusual “everyone-on-the-bridge” scene—runners, dog walkers, scooters, bikes, trikes, and even tall unicycles. After the ribbon-cutting, hundreds surged onto Irvine’s newest skyway.
Dragon Spans • Gap Closes
The Jeffrey Open Space Trail (JOST) Bicycle & Pedestrian Bridge is now open. Nearly 1,200 feet (366 meters) long and 15 feet (4.6 meters) wide, it is Irvine’s largest bicycle and pedestrian bridge.
Stretching across I-5 like a giant dragon, the bridge carries walkers and cyclists safely above freeway traffic while closing a long-standing gap in JOST.
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The bridge links Jeffrey Open Space Trail and Cypress Village Trail to the north with the JOST extension to the south.
Where walkers and cyclists once had to navigate near busy freeway ramps, they now have a dedicated, traffic-separated route.
Partners Unite • Path Opens
Mayor Larry Agran said the bridge completes a nearly five-mile walking and biking corridor through the heart of Irvine, connecting neighborhoods and open spaces more safely.
He added that in car-dependent Southern California, walking and biking should be real transportation choices.
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U.S. Representative Dave Min, who helped secure $14.5 million for the project while serving in the California State Senate, said I-5 had long divided pedestrian and bicycle travel between the two sides. The new bridge finally removes that barrier.
Vice Mayor James Mai said the bridge is a key link in JOST, strengthening connections among Irvine’s neighborhoods, parks, trails, and open spaces.
Councilmember Melinda Liu thanked Caltrans for an additional $5.056 million, noting that cooperation among city, state, and transportation agencies made the project possible—and gave walkers and cyclists a safer, easier route.
Councilmember William Go noted that cyclists once had to contend with freeway-ramp traffic near I-5. Now, walkers, runners, and riders have a route fully separated from cars.
Greenways Grow • Mountains Meet Sea
JOST opened in 2015 with about 3.5 miles of trails and public art highlighting local history. Construction on the bridge and trail extension began in March 2024.
The trail now reaches from Walnut to Smoke Tree and will eventually extend to Barranca Parkway.
Its reach goes well beyond nearby neighborhoods. As the regional trail network expands, it can connect Irvine with routes stretching from the Pacific coast to the Santa Ana Mountains and Cleveland National Forest.
The bridge also features about 2,400 feet of steel truss railing, 40 decorative light poles, and landscaping—combining safer travel with the signature character of JOST.
Crowds Cross • Life Connects
On opening day, the people became part of the show. Dog walkers, runners, seniors, cyclists, and families crossed at an easy pace; some looked down at the freeway traffic, while others stopped for photos.
A major public-works project quickly became part of everyday Irvine life.
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Photos courtesy of the City of Irvine
The lively “everyone-on-the-bridge” scene captured its real significance: the bridge does more than cross I-5—it reconnects neighborhoods, trails, and daily life long divided by the freeway.