Montague Expressway Pedestrian Overcrossing, Milpitas, CA

The Montague Expressway Pedestrian Overcrossing connects high-density transit-oriented development north of Montague Expressway in Milpitas to the BART, bus, and light rail lines at the new Milpitas Transit Center on the south side. The overcrossing spans eight lanes of traffic, two access lanes, and sidewalks and extends from the Milpitas Transit Center parking structure’s second floor to the North Landing adjacent to the new Edge Apartments. Biggs Cardosa designed the overcrossing as a single span to avoid the need for a column in the expressway’s median. This solution minimized traffic disruption during construction and eliminated a potential hazard for vehicles. Biggs Cardosa configured the structure to be fabricated in three segments and hoisted into place below the high-voltage overhead power lines using two large cranes. Highly efficient construction staging allowed the bridge to be constructed with a single weekend traffic closure, minimizing the impact on traffic. The bridge’s fins create a colorful gateway along the southern edge of the city of Milpitas. This project received the 2022 ACEC California Engineering Excellence Merit Award.