Drive down Fair Oaks Boulevard and across the bridge over the American River, look south and you will see what appears to be a miniature version of the Golden Gate Bridge, which is precisely what was intended when it was built in 1966.

It connects California State University’s Sacramento campus with University Avenue and the Campus Commons neighborhood, and is heavily used by students at Sacramento State, as well as nearby residents who like to stroll over to the campus for lunch or to attend an event.

The Guy West Bridge, for pedestrians only, was named in honor of the founding president of what was then Sacramento State College.

But it has fallen into disrepair and is only a shadow of its former self, its once bright red-orange color faded and rusty, showing its age and rapidly becoming more of an eyesore than the icon it was meant to be.