SAN DIEGO (KGTV) – Construction began Tuesday on the Pershing Bikeway, a project near San Diego’s Balboa Park aimed at keeping bicyclists and pedestrians safe.
The San Diego Association of Governments (SANDAG) project will allow bicyclists and other users to safely navigate around Balboa Park, as well as travel between North Park and downtown San Diego.
The 2.3-mile stretch will include a two-way separated bikeway, buffered bike lanes, and a walking path for pedestrians.
“We're trying to provide opportunities for people to use bikes, scooters, active transportation and walking to get where they need to go to reduce gas emissions,” said Sharon Humphreys, SANDAG’s director of construction engineering.
The plan also seeks to address safety concern that advocates have been raising issues about after two deadly crashes last year.
In the past year, a man was killed after getting hit by a motorist while he was riding a scooter. Also, well-known SDSU Director of Facilities Planning Laura Shin died after she was struck by a car while biking along Pershing Drive.
Speaking about those tragedies during a Tuesday news conference, San Diego Mayor Todd Gloria said, “No one is free to be able to say this isn't about protecting people's lives, which is exactly what this work is about."
The $13.4 million project is expected to be completed by 2024. Funding for the project is coming from TRANSNET, a voter-approved half-cent sales tax.
During the construction, officials are advising the public to be aware of workers and traffic control measures in the area near Pershing Drive/Upas Street/28th Street.
