The City of Irvine Opens the Jeffrey Open Space Trail Bicycle & Pedestrian BridgeThe bridge provides a key linkage between trails that extend from the Pacific Ocean to the Santa Ana Mountains and Cleveland National Forest. IRVINE, Calif. (August 11, 2026): The City of Irvine expanded its trail network today with the opening of the Jeffrey Open Space Trail (JOST) Bicycle & Pedestrian Bridge, as elected officials, City staff, cyclists, and community members were the first to walk and ride onto the bridge following a ribbon-cutting ceremony. At nearly 1,200 feet long and 15 feet wide, it is the largest pedestrian and bicycle bridge in Irvine. It spans Walnut Avenue, the Jeffrey Road Park & Ride, and the I-5 Freeway. It also connects to the Jeffrey Open Space Trail and Cypress Village Trail to the north and the JOST extension to the south. The bridge is part of a larger regional trail network that extends from the Pacific Ocean to the Santa Ana Mountains and Cleveland National Forest, providing greater access for people walking and biking throughout Irvine and beyond. “The Jeffrey Open Space Trail Bicycle and Pedestrian Bridge marks an important milestone in Irvine’s long-term vision for a connected and sustainable community,” said Mayor Larry Agran. “At nearly 1,200 feet, the bridge completes a vital 5-mile corridor through the heart of our City, giving residents a safer, healthier, and more enjoyable way to walk, bike, and connect with their neighborhoods and our remarkable open spaces. This project reflects Irvine’s longstanding commitment to thoughtful planning, environmental stewardship, and creating a community designed around the well-being of the people who live here.” The Jeffrey Open Space Trail opened in 2015 with 3.5 miles of meandering trails featuring art installations that highlight the history of the area. In March 2024, work began on the bridge and a trail extension aimed at filling a gap within the trail system. The trail has been extended from Walnut to Smoke Tree and will eventually reach Barranca Parkway. The project was supported by $14.5 million in state funding secured by U.S. Representative Dave Min (CA-47) when he served as State Senator. Caltrans provided an additional $5,056,000 for the project. The JOST bridge includes 2,400 linear feet of steel truss railing, 40 custom-designed decorative steel plate light poles, landscaping, and 300 linear feet of decorative concrete block walls featuring Italian Villa Stone Veneer. To put its size into perspective, the bridge stretches more than three football fields in length, the equivalent of five Boeing 747s lined up, or four times the height of the Statue of Liberty. View photos from the opening. To learn more about the Jeffrey Open Space Trail Bicycle & Pedestrian Bridge, visit cityofirvine.gov/jostextension. Since its incorporation in 1971, Irvine has become a nationally recognized city, with a population of 318,629 that spans 66 square miles and is recognized as one of America’s safest and most successful master-planned urban communities. Top-rated educational institutions, an enterprising business atmosphere, sound environmental stewardship, and respect for diversity all contribute to Irvine’s enviable quality of life. This family-friendly city features more than 16,000 acres of parks, sports fields and dedicated open space and is the home of the Great Park. For more information, please visit cityofirvine.gov. # # # | 
