Espola Road improvements to start next summer
Construction will likely begin in mid-2017 on the undergrounding of utility lines along a section of Espola Road and the construction of a pedestrian path along its west side.
City Council members on Tuesday night received an update on the project that included news that several affected property owners have had most of their design concerns satisfied.
Overhead lines will be buried along Espola Road, between Mountain Road to Northcrest Lane. The 6-foot-wide decomposed granite pathway, intended largely to protect students walking to and from schools, will stretch from the existing sidewalk south of Mountain Road to the one south of Willow Ranch Road. A split rail fence will run alongside the pathway.
There are two parts to the project, but all work will be done at the same time. The first undergrounding district will encompass 2,000 lineal feet, It will likely cost $1.9 million and will be paid for though the city’s allocation of “20A” fees collected by San Diego Gas and Electric Co. The city currently has only $1.25 million available in its account and plans to borrow the balance for five years’ worth of future annual allocations.
The second undergrounding district, to be created next month, involves 2,200 lineal feet and will cost about $2.6 million. It will be paid for through general fund reserves.
The total cost of the pathway, including design and construction, is pegged at $1.5 million, which will paid for by an existing city general fund appropriation.
Council members expressed interest in placing overhead wires underground and upgrading pedestrian safety during a 2014 discussion that led to the certification of an environmental impact report covering most of the road.
Two neighbors spoke at the council meeting. Both praised the proposed project, especially the pathway.
“It’s a blessing to the city that no one’s been killed” while walking along that part of Espola Road, Councilman Barry Leonard agreed.
SDG&E representatives said it will take about 10 months to complete design work and coordinate with Cox Communication and AT&T, which also own affected lines. Work is slated to begin next summer and will take about one year to complete, they said.
