The City of Solana Beach is preparing for its Annual Citywide Pavement Rehabilitation Project, which will begin on Monday, October 2. The extensive repair work, already on the horizon, will occur simultaneously in several locations throughout the city.
Planned for 18 weeks, the project aims to address the deteriorating state of various roads, side streets, and alleys. One area that will be most severely impacted is Highland Drive, from Lomas Santa Fe to Uno Verde. This section will undergo the construction of new raised medians and a complete resurfacing of the entire street, resulting in an expected impact period of three weeks, as per the City of Solana Beach news report.
These upcoming construction zones call for caution and extra vigilance from those traveling within the city. Be watchful for construction traffic and altered routes marked by detour signs. A detailed map of all the affected locations is available on the City's website.
Such a large-scale project is born from a series of assessments and decision-making throughout the year. In 2021, a city-wide pavement condition assessment was conducted to determine how best to budget, repair, replace, and preserve city street pavements. As a result of the assessment and consultation with experts, a priority list was developed to guide the City's street maintenance and repair program for this year.
Following the assessment, the City Council met on April 12, to approve the list of identified streets for the Fiscal Year (FY) 2022/23 Street Maintenance and Repairs Project and to authorize the City Engineer to advertise for construction bids. Consequently, many improvements will be implemented, with some garnering particular attention.
The construction of median curbs on Highland Drive will stretch between Lomas Santa Fe Drive and Uno Verde. The future planting of these areas, however, will be addressed as part of a separate project. South Acacia, from Plaza Street to the Distillery parking lot, will undergo removal and reconstruction of its curb, gutter, and sidewalk, followed by a full-width pavement overlay. Moreover, South Sierra's sidewalk adjacent to the Distillery parking lot will be reconstructed.
With a focus on safety and preservation, localized pavement repairs, or digouts, will be conducted throughout the city. Repainting of faded traffic striping at select locations, replacement of damaged sidewalks, and installation of speed cushions at undetermined locations—if approved under Council policy—will also be part of these anticipated efforts.
Citizens looking for more information or wishing to express their concerns may contact the Engineering Department at [email protected] or (858) 720-2470.
