Genesee Avenue is one of the most heavily traveled roads in Council District 1, connecting several residential and business communities, forming a lifeline for residents, commuters and visitors alike. The Genesee Avenue corridor connects some of our region’s most successful academic institutions and technology, healthcare and biotech research companies.
The booming success of UCSD and businesses in the Golden Triangle outpaced the capacity of local roads to keep up with demand. Traffic onto Interstate 5 begins backing up at 4 p.m. or earlier most weekdays, causing lengthy delays. Some businesses have resorted to staggered work schedules and flexible hours to manage the traffic impact.
I’m pleased to let you know that relief is on the way. This month, the city began work on the Genesee Avenue Widening Project. This $4.1 million project expands Genesee from four to six lanes between Campus Point Drive and the Interstate 5 interchange, completing the vision for Genesee laid out in the University City community plan.
In addition to the physical widening of the road, new turn lanes are planned for Scripps Memorial Hospital and Campus Point Drive, to reduce delays entering and exiting the hospital campus and the employment centers along Campus Point. New and existing medians and sidewalks will be built and improved, and new landscaping will add color and life to this major thoroughfare.
To anticipate the planned expansion of the Interstate 5 overpass, the existing median will be replaced and lanes will be restriped to add a second turn lane. City engineers predict this will offer interim relief as we continue to lobby for state and federal transportation funds needed for the much larger I-5 overpass replacement project. Mayor Sanders, Councilman Jim Madaffer and I have lobbied our elected leaders in Washington, D.C., and Sacramento on behalf of this much-needed widening, which will also require reconstructing the bridge. I’m hopeful that it will be included in the next round of major transportation grants.
A project the size and scope of the Genesee widening will cause some delays and inconvenience and requires our patience and understanding. Crews will work in two shifts to minimize delays during peak traffic hours, but it is likely that congestion will increase due to lane closures and roadwork during some of the construction. City engineers recognize the importance of quickly finishing this project. We expect all work to be finished by late summer of 2008. When the project is complete, I think you will agree that the delays and minor inconveniences were worth it.
This project would not be possible without the cooperation of community and business leaders. I particularly want to thank the University Community Planning Group, UCSD, Scripps Memorial Hospital, SAIC and Nissan Design America for their support and advocacy on behalf of the project.
If you have questions about the Genesee Avenue widening project, or would like to receive monthly e-mail updates, please call the project hotline, (619) 533-7539, or e-mail Leslie Emmanuel at [email protected].
” District 1 City Councilman and Council President Scott Peters contributes a monthly Council Corner column spotlighting City Hall happenings pertinent to the La Jolla and University City communities.