[SDCBC] Well it looks like I am not the only one...

[Gene Carman]

http://www.signonsandiego.com/news/justfixit/20080109-9999-lz1m9fixit.html



Going gets rough with unpaved access to bike path near Route 56

By Ruth McKinnie Braun
UNION-TRIBUNE STAFF WRITER

January 9, 2008

THE PROBLEM: The San Diego bike path along state 
Route 56 from Carmel Valley to Rancho Peñasquitos 
is straight and smooth, but getting to it from El 
Camino Real is a jarring experience.

Mitch Lynn sets out from his home in Mission 
Hills twice a month for a ride that loops north 
to Carmel Valley across to Interstate 15 and then back home.

[]

THE SITE: State Route 56 bike path in Carmel Valley.
Lynn said the 10-mile path beside Route 56 is one 
of the region's best rides. He just wishes it was easier to get to.

When Caltrans built the path, it included a paved 
entrance from southbound El Camino Real, but not from the northbound side.

Cyclists have forged a 200-foot dirt trail to the 
asphalt bike path, but there are no signs and no 
curb cuts leading there. Some cyclists, Lynn 
said, ride down the somewhat steep trail filled with ruts, but many walk.

“If you are not a strong rider, you will fall down,” Lynn said.

Northbound riders can use the southbound 
entrance, but that requires riding against 
traffic on El Camino Real, cutting across six 
lanes of 50 mph traffic and a center median or 
riding to a traffic light more than a block away 
and circling back. Lynn and other riders who have 
contacted Just Fix It want Caltrans or the city 
of San Diego to pave the trail and put in a curb cut.

Lynn also said part of the paved path between El 
Camino Real and Carmel Creek Road is chronically flooded.

STATUS: Just Fix It called Caltrans, which said 
San Diego is responsible for maintaining the path.

Brad Jacobsen, a city associate traffic engineer, 
said paving the trail would cost about $245,000 
and is not as simple as it appears. Because of 
sensitive habitat near the trail, the city would 
have to provide environmental mitigation.

The city has unsuccessfully applied for money for 
the project from the half-cent sales tax that 
pays for transportation projects in the region. 
Jacobsen said the city will apply again and is looking at other options.

The flooding is caused by an overgrowth of native 
plants in Carmel Creek. Jacobsen said the city is 
looking for money to install a flood-control channel.

WHO'S RESPONSIBLE: Brad Jacobsen, who can be 
reached at (619) 533-3126 or 
<MAILTO:bjacobsen at sandiego.gov>bjacobsen at sandiego.gov. 
The city has a bicycle hotline at (619) 533-3110. 
NEED A PROBLEM SOLVED: Is there a problem 
government hasn't taken care of despite your 
complaints? Whether it's a missing bus bench or 
an unkempt park anywhere in San Diego County, 
Just Fix It might be able to help.


[]
  Complaint forms are at justfixit.uniontrib.com, 
or call (800) 820-8714 to describe your problem.
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