Traffic upsets Escala Drive residents
Starting this week, San Diego police will be cracking down on speeding motorists who are using Escala Drive as a shortcut now that the Interstate 15 overpass at West Bernardo Drive/Pomerado Road is out of commission.
By Friday, an electronic speed monitoring trailer will be moved to Escala Drive to remind motorists if they are driving in excess of the posted limit, which ranges from 25 to 30 mph, depending on the location.
“I’ve also put that street on the list for our motorcycle officers to patrol so we can get some traffic enforcement there,” said Officer Paul Lennon. “Hopefully, people will start driving safer.”
Likewise, Caltrans officials are taking action.
“We’re going to be putting changeable message signs at Escala Drive and Bernardo Center Drive and at Escala Drive and Pomerado Road that will essentially reiterate the signage we already have posted,” said Gustavo Dallarda, deputy director of the I-15 managed lane project.
“One line will say that no trucks over one ton are allowed and the other will remind people to obey the speed limit. Hopefully, there will be more awareness that speeding is being watched and trucks are not really allowed there.”
This beefed-up enforcement comes in the wake of a barrage of complaints from Escala Drive residents. Monday night, a half-dozen homeowners aired their grievances during a monthly meeting of Rancho Bernardo’s Traffic and Transportation Committee and pressed committee members to take action.
“It’s not just cars. We have tankers, big rigs and I even saw a steamroller coming down the street the other day,” one homeowner told the committee. “The weight limit of one ton is being abused constantly.”
Committee members who live in that area agreed that traffic has steadily worsened since the Pomerado Road/West Bernardo Drive overpass was demolished six weeks ago. A new, longer and wider bridge is under construction, but won’t open until December.
“I have noticed an increase in cars,” said Robin Kaufman, president of the RB Community Council.
Escala Drive homeowners pushed for speed humps similar to those installed on neighboring Mirasol Drive a couple of years ago. But committee member George Cooke said he doubted Escala would qualify based on the city of San Diego’s speed hump criteria. “Because of the incline and also because that’s a main artery and an emergency access road,” Cooke said.
He suggested contacting police and Caltrans officials instead to see what could be done. “It’s a special situation because of the construction so I think we could make a request for police enforcement and a speed trailer,” Cooke said. “And I would also give Caltrans a chance to do something.”