1968 photo of the Coronado Bridge being built. Construction of the $50 million bridge began in February 1967. The principal architect was Robert Mosher. It opened on August 3, 1969, during the celebration of the 200th anniversary of the founding of San Diego. The 2.12-mile long bridge has a vertical clearance of approximately 200 feet, allowing the tallest ships to pass beneath it. In 1970, it won the 'Most Beautiful Bridge' Award of Merit from the American Institute of Steel Construction.