Por Dave Schwab

Opponents of a Caltrans/SANDAG plan to widen State Route 94 between the 805 and 5 interstates have launched a petition drive attempting to block the effort, which they claim would negatively impact communities without bringing any direct benefits.

Firing back, the two transportation-related government agencies contend the project is absolutely essential to serve the growing needs of motorists in the area now and into the future. Transportation officials insist the project offers numerous benefits to commuters and residents alike.

Caltrans is the state agency responsible for highway, bridge and rail transportation planning, construction and maintenance. SANDAG is the San Diego region’s primary public planning, transportation and research agency.

The SR 94 Express Lanes Project proposes to connect I-805 South Express Lanes with Downtown San Diego by constructing two new Express Lanes along SR 94, one in each direction, and a new direct connector between SR 94 and I-805.

The Express Lanes would accommodate new Bus Rapid Transit (BRT) service, in addition to carpools/vanpools traveling between South Bay and Downtown connecting to a wider network of Express Lanes on I-805, and at a future date on State Route 15.

Golden Hill homeowner Valentina Pasquetto, a spokesperson for a group of residents opposing the SR 94 Express Lane Project, said the group’s recent petition drive garnered 220 signatures from local residents against the project in just two weeks.

“We expect growing support in the next few months once the [project’s] draft EIR is released,” Pasquetto said. “Our hope is that other residents and influential groups will support us by signing the petition and actively engaging our city, state and federal elected officials to oppose the project.”

Pasquetto said the petition drive’s aim is to heighten awareness that Caltrans and SANDAG intend to add two lanes to the SR 94 freeway through San Diego neighborhoods from I-805 to I-5 to accommodate the BRT system, High Occupancy Vehicle (HOV) and fast-track vehicles.

“This proposed project includes the construction of an up to 2-mile- long overpass and the closure of off-ramps and on-ramps vital to maintaining access to our neighborhoods,” Pasquetto said. “It has always been put to us by SANDAG that there are two options for this project. There is always a third — no build at all.”

Edward Cartagena, Caltrans media information officer, countered that the freeway expansion project is something the city cannot live without if it wants to avoid traffic gridlock.

“State Route 94 was built in the late 1950s and the operational demands have been steadily increasing to more than 149,000 vehicles a day — the most congested highway during the morning commute in the county,” Cartagena said.

“Motorists from East County, the South Bay and North County flow towards State Route 94 to the downtown employment centers, tourist attractions and sporting events,” he said.

SANDAG studies estimate nearly 1 million more people will reside in San Diego County by 2030. “Operational improvements are needed,” Cartagena said.

Pasquetto said the project will bring disproportionate negative impacts to affected communities without providing any direct benefits by “further dividing the community and bringing more noise and pollution, while providing no access to the managed lanes for bicycle or other pedestrian modes of transportation.”

“It does not encourage people to leave their cars at home as the people riding the BRT are the same people that are already using public transport now,” Pasquetto said, noting that her group’s ultimate objective “is to get Caltrans and SANDAG to rethink the entire plan around the SR 94.”

“We request them to reallocate TransNet funding away from the freeway expansion and towards alternative transit options (light-rail, bicycle and pedestrian infrastructure).”

Cartagena said the proposed project will benefit commuters by:

—Encouraging people to get out of their cars to utilize transit as an alternative form of transportation resulting in improved highway operation.

—Providing additional lanes between on- and off-ramps facilitating merging and reducing weaving of vehicles getting on and off the freeway.

—Replacing non-standard, left-hand connectors at the SR 94/SR 15 interchange.

—Reducing commute times for travelers heading into Downtown using the South Bay Bus Rapid Transit.

—Facilitating vanpools/carpools reducing congestion while offering more commuting choices.

Cartagena said the freeway project will provide extra-added benefits to Uptown residents by:

—Creating up to 6 miles of sound walls between I-5 to just east of I-805.

—Improving access for pedestrians/bicyclists by widening of the overcrossings at 22nd, 25th and 30th streets.

—Building a pedestrian/bicycle-only plaza over SR 94 at 24th Street.

—Constructing a Class 1 bike path along SR 94 between Federal Boulevard and Market Street.

—Upgrading sidewalks and landscaping on F and G streets as well as Federal Boulevard.

Cartagena said the draft environmental impact report for the SR 94 Express Lanes Project is expected to be released for public review and comment at the end of June or early July.

— Dave Schwab puede ser contactado en [email protected].