Project Overview

The South Coast Plaza Unity Bridge is a 550-foot pedestrian bridge that seamlessly connects South Coast Plaza to the Segerstrom Center for the Arts and the surrounding office buildings, hotels, and restaurants in Costa Mesa's Town Center.

Its iconic nature with embedded blue neon lights serves as an anchor structure for the area. Beyond its aesthetic appeal, the bridge plays a vital role in reducing pedestrian congestion on Bristol Street below by providing a safe, elevated walkway. Discreet lighting underneath the rails on the walkway provides a safe, well-lit passage, creating an inviting passage that naturally guides pedestrians to the other side. Additionally, by eliminating the need for short car trips between nearby destinations, the bridge helps to ease vehicle traffic in the area.

Careful placement and meticulous planning were essential to enable accurate placement of the neon light tubes and provide the necessary wiring and service access points. Strategic positioning of block outs, access panels, and spacing was critical to achieving both the bridge’s functional and visual design.

Today, the South Coast Plaza Unity Bridge remains a defining landmark in Costa Mesa, enhancing both the aesthetic and practical aspects of urban mobility while adding vibrancy to the nighttime cityscape.

PCI-Certified Precast Concrete Producer:

Coreslab Structures (L.A.) Inc.

Key Project Attributes

• Completed in 1992.

Project/Precast Scope

• The bridge is considered as an artistic solution to effectively move people safely.
• Neon light tubes were carefully planned and placed to provide the necessary wiring and service access points.
• The bridge is well maintained and serves as an important part of transportation and foot traffic circulation for the entire area.