The 58-year-old Ocean Beach Pier has been closed since it was damaged by high surf in October 2023. Further damage occurred last December when a support broke off and fell into the sea.
“Engineering teams have concluded that any work to rehabilitate the pier is not feasible, particularly given the likelihood of further damage during future winter storms,” authorities said in a statement released Friday.
The safest and most cost-effective option for the Ocean Beach Pier is to keep the structure closed to the public while the city works on a long-term solution to replace the pier, the statement said.
“The Ocean Beach Pier is a San Diego landmark, but was built nearly 60 years ago and can no longer withstand the impacts of rising sea levels and storm surge on our coast,” said Elif Cetin, deputy director of the Division of Engineering and Capital Projects. “Deciding how to proceed will take into account the likelihood that future storms will cause additional damage to the pier in the years to come and whether it makes sense to put funds into a structure that will continue to need extensive repairs or to instead invest in the long-term project of replacing the pier.”
A report released Friday outlined several immediate actions that could be taken to repair recent damage to the pier, but due to the overall cost, schedule, feasibility and environmental permits required for those options, the city decided to leave the pier as is.
These emergency measures would not allow the pier to reopen. Reopening it would require additional repairs or rehabilitation, which would involve extensive construction, heavy machinery, and the erection of a structure to support equipment and construction personnel.
Although the pier does not pose an immediate threat to public safety, additional signs have been posted reminding visitors to be cautious while in the area, the city’s report said.
According to San Diego Municipal Code, swimming, wading, surfing or scuba diving within 75 feet of a fishing pier owned or operated by the City is prohibited by law.
A 2018 study concluded that the pier had exceeded its useful life and recommended seeking its replacement. At that time, minimal repairs would have cost about $8 million, and rehabilitation would have cost about $30 million to $50 million. Since the 2018 study was conducted, damage to the pier and the cost of structural repairs have increased significantly, further strengthening the case for replacement, the city said.
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Repairs to the damaged Ocean Beach Pier are no longer possible, city officials said on Friday.
The 58-year-old Ocean Beach Pier has been closed since it was damaged by high surf in October 2023. Further damage occurred last December when a support broke off and fell into the sea.
“Engineering teams have concluded that any work to rehabilitate the pier is not feasible, particularly given the likelihood of further damage during future winter storms,” authorities said in a statement released Friday.
The safest and most cost-effective option for the Ocean Beach Pier is to keep the structure closed to the public while the city works on a long-term solution to replace the pier, the statement said.
“The Ocean Beach Pier is a San Diego landmark, but was built nearly 60 years ago and can no longer withstand the impacts of rising sea levels and storm surge on our coast,” said Elif Cetin, deputy director of the Division of Engineering and Capital Projects. “Deciding how to proceed will take into account the likelihood that future storms will cause additional damage to the pier in the years to come and whether it makes sense to put funds into a structure that will continue to need extensive repairs or to instead invest in the long-term project of replacing the pier.”
A report released Friday outlined several immediate actions that could be taken to repair recent damage to the pier, but due to the overall cost, schedule, feasibility and environmental permits required for those options, the city decided to leave the pier as is.
These emergency measures would not allow the pier to reopen. Reopening it would require additional repairs or rehabilitation, which would involve extensive construction, heavy machinery, and the erection of a structure to support equipment and construction personnel.
Although the pier does not pose an immediate threat to public safety, additional signs have been posted reminding visitors to be cautious while in the area, the city’s report said.
According to San Diego Municipal Code, swimming, wading, surfing or scuba diving within 75 feet of a fishing pier owned or operated by the City is prohibited by law.
A 2018 study concluded that the pier had exceeded its useful life and recommended seeking its replacement. At that time, minimal repairs would have cost about $8 million, and rehabilitation would have cost about $30 million to $50 million. Since the 2018 study was conducted, damage to the pier and the cost of structural repairs have increased significantly, further strengthening the case for replacement, the city said.
— City News Service
