Robert L.B. Tobin Land Bridge | |
|---|---|
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| Coordinates | 29°33′31.5″N98°31′29.8″W / 29.558750°N 98.524944°W /29.558750; -98.524944 |
| Crosses | Wurzbach Parkway |
| Locale | 29.5587019,-98.5246082 |
| Named for | Robert L.B. Tobin |
| Website | www |
| Characteristics | |
| Total length | 189 feet (58 m) |
| Width | 150 feet (46 m) |
| History | |
| Architect | Stimson Studio |
| Constructed by | SPAW Glass |
| Construction start | November 26, 2018 |
| Construction end | December 12, 2020 |
| Construction cost | $23 million - $13 million from a Voter-approved City Bond, $10 million in private donations and grants. |
| Opened | Grand Opening December 12, 2020 |
| Location | |
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TheRobert L.B. Tobin Land Bridge is awildlife crossing overWurzbach Parkway inSan Antonio'sPhil Hardberger Park that opened in December 2020.[1] The project cost $23 million and is designed for both wildlife and pedestrians. Construction began on November 26, 2018,[2] and was originally expected to end in April 2020.[3]
At 189 feet (58 m) long and 150 feet (46 m) wide,[4] it is the FIRST mixed-use wildlife bridge in the United States and influenced the design of theAnnenberg Wildlife Crossing in Agoura Hills, California in 2025. With 8-foot (2.4 m) tall,noise dampingcorten steel walls on both sides, the land bridge is designed to appear to crossers as a small hill, continuing the landscape of the park.[5][6] The bridge has a 250,000-US-gallon (950,000 L) underground cistern that collects stormwater run off from the park, the land bridge, and the nearby development. The reclaimed water is used in the water bubblers at the wildlife blinds.[7]
On April 5, 2021, a footbridge called the Skywalk opened which starts at the top of the land bridge and winds through the park's tree canopy.[8][9]
Before the first anniversary of the Robert L.B. Tobin Land Bridge, all mammal species known to reside in the park were photographed on the land bridge,[10] wildlife traffic is not expected to substantially increase until the foliage planted on the bridge grows thicker.[11]
As part of a five-year study, the Parks and Recreation Department documented wildlife using the bridge. To date, species include theVirginia opossum,cottontail rabbit,white-tailed deer,coyote,rock squirrel,fox squirrel,rat,raccoon,armadillo,bobcat,gray fox,striped skunk, andwhite-tailed deer.[12][13]
Media related toRobert L.B. Tobin Land Bridge at Wikimedia Commons