Old Town roadway overhaul begins

SAN DIEGO (CNS) – A major overhaul of an Old Town roadway began Tuesday, with city officials taking a new approach so that the pavement won’t have to be repeatedly ripped up.

The $8 million project, on Juan Street between Taylor Street and Sunset Road, will result in a new roadway surface, plus new sidewalks, curb and gutters, curb ramps, water mains and storm drains.

“This is a perfect example of the city’s new `One Dig’ philosophy in which we try to consolidate all of the upgrades at once — street resurfacing, sidewalk installation, new water lines — so the city doesn’t tear up the street again and again,” Mayor Kevin Faulconer said.

“This smarter approach saves the city time and money that it can use on other repair projects and reduces the impacts on neighborhood residents and businesses,” he said.

The project on the 85-year-old street involves replacing the water pipes underneath the road and creating a reinforced concrete storm drain conveyance system. The upgrades are expected to minimize flooding issues that have been a problem there in the past.

“Old Town is known as the birthplace of California, but its infrastructure shouldn’t be considered historic,” City Council President Todd Gloria said. “The improvements to Juan Street and to the water and storm water systems underneath are worthy investments that will serve Old Town’s many businesses and visitors.”

Since Juan Street is in an area known to contain historical and archaeological resources, the project includes an environmental assessment and monitoring in order to preserve the integrity and archaeological history of Old Town, according to the city.