Robert L.B. Tobin Land Bridge
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| Coordinates | 29°33′31.5″N 98°31′29.8″W / 29.558750°N 98.524944°W / 29.558750; -98.524944 |
| Crosses | Wurzbach Parkway |
| Named for | Robert L.B. Tobin |
| Website | philhardbergerpark |
| Characteristics | |
| Total length | 189 feet (58 m) |
| Width | 150 feet (46 m) |
| History | |
| Construction start | November 26, 2018 |
| Construction end | December 11, 2020 |
| Construction cost | $23 million |
| Location | |
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The Robert L.B. Tobin Land Bridge is a wildlife crossing over Wurzbach ParkwayinSan Antonio's Phil Hardberger Park that opened on December 11, 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 largest wildlife bridge in the United States as of December 2020[update].[5] With 8-foot (2.4 m) tall, noise damping corten steel walls on both sides, the bridge is designed to appear to crossers as a small hill.[6][7] The bridge has a 250,000-US-gallon (950,000 L) underground cistern to keep the bridge's plants irrigated via rainwater.[8]
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 trees.[9][10]
Although animals had already been spotted crossing the bridge as of early 2021,[6] 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 documents wildlife using the bridge. As of November 2021[update], species include the Virginia opossum, cottaintail rabbit, white-tailed deer, coyote, rock squirrel, fox squirrel, rat, raccoon, armadillo, bobcat, gray fox, and axis deer.[12][13]
Media related to Robert L.B. Tobin Land Bridge at Wikimedia Commons
