One of the busiest intersections in La Mesa is also one of the most dangerous for those who use it daily. Now, the city is making safety improvements to the area, including adding a much-needed crosswalk.
Greg Sanchez is one of the many pedestrians who cross the Spring Street entrance to Interstate 8 every day – except right now there isn’t an actual crosswalk there.
"I've been almost run over a couple of times right here," said Sanchez. "And yeah, it's dangerous."
The intersection is part of Sanchez’ daily routine: he takes the trolley from San Diego, gets off on the La Mesa Boulevard stop, and walks to his job on Center Street, which is located on the other side of I-8.
"Some [drivers] are just not stopping, or slowing down. So you gotta wait, be on the lookout, and [if] there [are] no cars, kinda run," explained Sanchez.
The problem is, if you're walking, there is no other way to get from the trolley stop, which is in La Mesa's downtown village, to the other side of the freeway, the center of La Mesa's industry.
Greg Humora, Director of Public Works for the City of La Mesa, said the freeway essentially cuts the city in half.
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"We've identified this crossing as the No. 1 pedestrian facility we want to build right now," Humora told NBC 7.
The City of La Mesa has been working on the crosswalk project for about 10 years.
The plan calls for workers to remove the dirt from underneath the highway overpass, put in a retaining wall, build a sidewalk and add lighting – all in an effort to make the crossing safe for pedestrians.
The other side of the freeway is also problematic. There's a narrow, 2-foot walkway along the overpass that wasn't designed for pedestrians.
“It's like a balance beam out there right now,” said Humora. “So what we're going to do is, we're going to put a 5-feet concrete sidewalk in, on top of the existing ramp."
In addition to safety, the City of La Mesa wants to attract more people to the retail stores in its industrial area, which include two breweries – Bolt Brewery and Helix Brewing Company – and two wineries, San Pasqual Winery and La Mesa Wine Works.
"La Mesa is a very walkable city," said Humora. "It's a high priority for the city council to make things more walkable."
The city will put out construction bids for the crosswalk once Caltrans approves permits – a process expected to take place within the next few weeks. Construction on the new walking path should start next spring and the area will be ready for people to use in fall of 2017.
A Highway Safety Improvement Program grant administered by Caltrans will cover the cost of the project, expected to total about $1 million.
