Disney Springs Buena Vista Drive Pedestrian Bridge Now Open

Disney Springs First Pedestrian Bridge Now Open

Today, September 14, 2015, was the official grand opening for the first of two pedestrian bridges crossing over Buena Vista Drive at Disney Springs (formerly known as Downtown Disney). These elevated crosswalks extend across Buena Vista Drive, which is the main roadway through the Disney Springs / Downtown Disney area.  A second pedestrian bridge, located near Hotel Plaza Boulevard, will open in the future.

Those who travel this route frequently are likely familiar with the lengthy wait times at the traffic lights in the area. It’s common to see guests and Cast Members crossing Buena Vista Drive and to experience traffic backups at busy times due to the repeated, extended waits. With the new bridges in place and Buena Vista Drive being widened to 10 lanes, we can expect traffic will flow much more smoothly in the near future.

Guests and Cast Members can choose from stairs or an elevator to access the elevated crosswalk, which is completely open on the top and sides.

The area is nicely landscaped and the brick work detail corresponds to the look and feel that’s carried throughout the theming of Disney Springs, particularly in The Landing area.

Construction is still very much in progress in the area, which can be clearly observed from the pedestrian bridge itself.

View of Disney Springs from Pedestrian Bridge

View of Buena Vista Drive looking toward Hotel Plaza Blvd

View of Buena Vista Drive looking toward Parking Garage and Flyover Ramp

There are a few fun facts about the pedestrian bridge:

• The bridge was fabricated out of structural steel in Fort Payne, Alabama and weighs 225,000 pounds!
• It was hoisted into place with a crane that had a lifting capacity of 600,000 pounds!
• The bridge is 251 feet 6 inches in length and is designed to expand up to 1 1/2 inches with changes in temperature.

Here are a few photos from the past few months while the pedestrian bridge was being constructed.

For a short period of time, the bridge was on the side of the road waiting to be hoisted up over Buena Vista Drive.

Andy and his colleagues at Team Disney are glad to see the bridge open since it will allow them easy access to Disney Springs for lunch breaks. Plus, any improvements to traffic in the area are welcomed!

Have you been to Downtown Disney / Disney Springs lately?