About San Diego: The Story Behind The Bridge Over Interstate 15

It’s only used by about 20 cars an hour, so why was such a magnificent bridge built in San Diego’s North County?
Hear from the original lead on the construction of the Lilac Road Bridge and why he still keeps the bridge's construction plans to this day.
Stream full episodes of Ken Kramer's About San Diego: www.pbs.org/pbs-video-app/
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[@bobweber5309]

I always thought that was a beautiful bridge! Also, I didn’t know until just now that there was an About San Diego KZbin channel. I used to watch the show all the time. And now that I’m no longer in San Diego, yet miss it so very much, my subscription to this channel is yet another connection to the halcyon days. Thanks Ken Kramer and KPBS!

[@donalddodson7365]

Thank you, Ken Kramer, for your curiosity, interest in the back stories "About San Diego," and wonderful story telling.

[@the_great_iz]

Oh wow! Thanks for the bit of history! I see this bridge every week and always wondered the story about this. I'm going to share this with others for sure!!!

[@hollyduran4565]

My favorite bridge! Loved when 15 was extended and we got to enjoy this bridge!

[@jooleyfooley1]

When I'm heading home from being out of town and I see that bridge I know I'm almost home. 😊

[@daleinaz1]

And, I'd also bet that some important official owned land on one side, and did not want to have to drive ten miles out of his way to cross the freeway. That's often how these things come about.

[@patrickfitzgerald2861]

I moved to Escondido from Tucson in September, and I was amazed when I drove up to Temecula last month and saw this for the first time! Thank you for explaining all the whys and hows about it! 👍👍👍

[@BradizbakeD]

I love these videos! Please keep them coming!

[@danthemaneducation5540]

I live about ten minutes from there (North Escondido) There is a Cal fire fire station just down the road, from the bridge. I'm sure they use the bridge often

[@rschimka]

Excellent story...So where did all the granite and soil go to that was removed to build I-15? That would amount to a lot of volume of material....

[@donalddodson7365]

Cut and fill, I suspect. The grades for Interstate Highways was spelled out by Federal Highway specifications. Soil was dug out, removed and was used to fill areas that were too steep to qualify.

[@rschimka]

@@donalddodson7365 Thanks, good info...

[@kardoyle]

I always called it rainbow bridge because it kind a looks like a rainbow and now it to find out it’s called lilac bridge which is a very beautiful name

[@SeeYouUpTheRoad]

Thank you that was wonderful!

[@georgemitchell4539]

Worked on it

[@user-zu3md5qz8y]

I will continuer the Tradition of building beautiful bridges like these God. after I retire from my old job and jump into my dream job.

[@didymos32]

amazing! ❤

[@littlejimmiejones7614]

I thought it was the Eastgate Mall bridge over the 805 just N. of La Jolla Village Dr. from the thumbnail.

[@tiffanysmith3972]

I wish Irene Smith would have been mentioned she was one of the first female engineers and she engineered that bridge along with the freeway. Along with my uncle who also helped engineer that bridge.

[@lizardbreath9999]

My high school friend told me her dad helped design this bridge. She never id divulge any details.

[@greatestever8161]

My gpa helped design this bridge. Fred Michaels…go check it out

[@michaeldavis9774]

I have stood at the middle of this bridge, watching the vehicles far below, while smoking a joint. In two different decades.

[@jeffmushaney9951]

I always called it the Rainbow Bridge,I guess because it looks like a Rainbow

[@dennistravers2087]

Neato to learn of the arch's contents!

[@Marko-vb2mi]

We really need to build more things, “…just for the beauty of them.”

[@user-zu3md5qz8y]

just like the Junipero Serra freeway in Silicon Valley

[@cvshav]

Excellent history

[@LifeBetweenTheDash]

Wow!!!!

[@desertman5699]

Really cool story. Thanks

[@godsgiftmaggot898]

I wonder why yhey didn't built it on grade prior to excavating .. . rather than on falsework

[@gregoryagogo]

You know what I think? It's about money and funding... Like the Coronado bridge was bent to make it longer so they can access federal funding... Same thing here... to access funding, they needed to make the freeway project more expensive.

[@kenhoyer8601]

could be

[@MrCadillac1958]

That is not why they "bent" the bridge. The real reason is that Navy ships have to pass under it, meaning it has to be a certain height. But if the bridge were straight, it would be too steep on either side, so they had to lengthen it to make the incline/decline less severe. That's a real engineering reason, not a political boondoggle reason.

[@mejia76O]

my friend flew under it with an airplane

[@Thehomiefromthe818]

Waste of money 🤷🏻‍♂️