San Diego will partially reopen the Ocean Beach Pier after repairs to damage caused by storms earlier this year are completed, it was announced on Wednesday.
Deck and railing damage from the 2019 storm were repaired, and the pier was deemed structurally sound enough for public use even though inspections found pier columns and other parts of the structure needed future repair, according to city spokesperson Alec Phillipp.
But other storms since forced the pier to close again, most recently in January 2021.
Deck and railing repairs from land to the bait shop are expected in the coming weeks, but damage beyond the bait shop is still being assessed and may need that part of the structure may need repairs before the pier opens to the public.
Phillipp was unable to provide a timetable for reopening in the short term and said the city is already working on the long-term plan.
Updated on January 11, 2021 at 2:28 pm
Jim Grant
For the second time in three years, big waves have damaged San Diego s iconic Ocean Beach Pier.
High surf and a high tide combined on Monday to raise the 10- 12-foot waves up enough to skin at least 100 feet of railing boards off the south side of the pier, a witness told NBC 7. Hammered, hammered! Boards everywhwere, San Diego resident Jim Grant said.
Photos: ‘Hammered : Big Surf Damages OB Pier Again
A spokeswoman for San Diego Fire Rescue confirmed the damage on Monday, adding that they don t know how long [the pier] will be closed because the Parks & Rec Dept. has to send someone to assess once the tide and surf abate.