CYPRESS : City Studies Call for Footbridge

At the request of Yamaha Motor Corp., the city is considering installing a footbridge over Stanton Flood Control Channel so employees can leave cars at home and walk or bicycle to work.

The bridge would connect the Cypress Business Park with neighborhoods just south of the complex. Many of the city’s major employers operate in the park, including Yamaha Motors, Minolta, Mitsubishi and Fuji.

According to Phil Wendel, human resources manager for Yamaha, several people working in the park have expressed interest in walking or biking across the channel at Holder Street. Of 1,500 employees, about 60 said they would use the bridge, a city survey found.

Two alternatives being studied are building a new bridge and restoring a pedestrian bridge no longer in use. Costs for both options have not been determined, officials said, but a joint funding plan between the city and the businesses is under consideration.

Such a bridge could do more than reduce auto traffic. It could also help the city comply with standards set by the Air Quality Management District and by the county to gain money from the Measure M transportation initiative.

The city is waiting to hear from the Orange County Flood Control District, which owns the channel. Once city officials get approval from the county, the issue will be brought back to the council for official consideration.