The streets of San Diego are witnessing a transformation, one asphalt overlay at a time. A 1.2-mile stretch of Clairemont Mesa Boulevard, from Shawline Street to Kearny Mesa Road, is the latest beneficiary, with construction crews nearing the completion of a project aimed at smoothing the once bumpy ride. Mayor Todd Gloria's "Sexy Streets" initiative, which sounds less risqué than it does pragmatic, is the driving force behind this and similar road rejuvenations across the city.
For years, drivers traversed this busy corridor, dodging large potholes that were a testament to the street's deteriorating condition. Now, with the previous pavement pockmarked with damaging formations from underground pipeline work and regular stress from the bustling traffic, an end to the vehicular obstacle course is in sight. After the crews pack up their heavy machinery and orange cones, the Pavement Condition Index (PCI) score for Clairemont Mesa Boulevard is expected to catapult to a perfect 100, an achievement noted by the City of San Diego.
Decisions to give streets their much-needed makeover are dictated by a pavement management system that categorizes and schedules the streets based on need and urgency. Four segments of Clairemont Mesa Boulevard, which were ascribed disturbingly low PCI scores—from "very poor" to "very serious" in 2023—are now embracing their pivotal moment of restoration, according to the same source.
Fueling these efforts is a successful completion rate of road refurbishing that surpassed initial goals for the current fiscal year—a whopping 71 miles, topping the 60 miles projected. Looking forward, the "Protecting our Progress" budget laid out by Mayor Gloria is expected to pave the way for more, earmarking nearly $105 million for upcoming street resurfacing projects. This investment plans to increase the major street resurfacing to 75 miles in fiscal year 2025 and provide for the design and planning required to reach a roadmap spanning 105 miles by 2026, the City of San Diego has announced.
