CSU Board of Trustees certifies Environmental Impact Report for Fenton Parkway Bridge

During their September board meeting, the California State University Board of Trustees voted to certify the Environmental Impact Report (EIR) for the Fenton Parkway Bridge. The Fenton Parkway Bridge project is part of the purchase and sale agreement with the City of San Diego, which led to the development of SDSU Mission Valley.

The bridge will extend Fenton Parkway over the San Diego River to Camino del Rio North, creating a new, critical high water crossing for vehicles, pedestrians and cyclists. It will also improve multimodal transportation in the area, improve public safety by providing a reliable and direct access route for emergency response personnel and enhance access to the San Diego Metropolitan Transit System (MTS) Green Line trolley stations at Fenton Parkway and SDSU Mission Valley.

“Alongside Snapdragon Stadium and the River Park, the much-anticipated Fenton Parkway Bridge is another major promise fulfilled by SDSU,” said San Diego State University President Adela de la Torre. “This important piece of infrastructure will reduce vehicle miles traveled within Mission Valley, contributing to a reduction in greenhouse gas emissions for our region.”

Since entering into a Memorandum of Understanding in 2022, SDSU and the City of San Diego have worked closely on the bridge design and EIR. The bridge is an essential public facility that has been in the Mission Valley Community Plan for decades.

“The Fenton Parkway Bridge is a critical piece of infrastructure that will improve connectivity, boost public safety, and support future growth in Mission Valley,” said Mayor Todd Gloria. “By providing a reliable crossing over the San Diego River, this project will enhance the ability for residents to walk and bike in the area, reduce congestion, and ensure that emergency services can quickly reach those in need.” 

SDSU will now pursue state and federal permits necessary to start construction, with construction expected to begin in 2026.

The Final EIR identifies a number of mitigation measures to minimize impacts to the natural environment surrounding the bridge site. Mitigation measures include, pre-construction biological and archaeological surveys and construction monitoring, noise barriers, and lighting requirements.

The bridge is estimated to cost approximately $53 million, which includes design and entitlement costs expended to date. The City has a fixed contribution of $8.5 million, which was set aside from the proceeds of the purchase price for the land, as well as $2.4 million from the City’s capital improvement project fund specifically for the bridge. The remainder of the funding will be provided by funds generated from the SDSU Mission Valley project, such as impact fees charged to SDSU Mission Valley developers.

“San Diego must be proactive in building infrastructure that is resilient to the threats posed by climate change. The Fenton Parkway Bridge will be a key piece of infrastructure for the City and SDSU that meets the needs of the future," said Council President Sean Elo Rivera. "The Fenton Parkway Bridge will provide Mission Valley residents and visitors an essential flood-resistant transportation connection, support existing and planned growth in an area where flooding has typically impacted mobility and enhance emergency access.”

Upon completion of the construction, the bridge will be owned, operated and maintained by the City of San Diego.