TRANSPORTATION

Transportation

In San Diego’s Downtown Community Plan, there are transit modifications being made to provide improved multimodal access to each of the different neighborhoods of downtown. This would allow the downtown neighborhood to be more easily accessed and emphasize shared transit options. There are road diets being proposed, which would convert a fourway road into a three-way road with two through ways and a turning lane. These road diets include reallocating space to pedestrians and bicyclists, and would reduce the width of the travel lanes which would result in slower traffic and a safer environment for pedestrians and bicyclists. To connect downtown with the broader context of San Diego, they are also proposing a freeway cap that would span six blocks and connect the downtown area with Balboa Park. The freeway cap would cover the interstate-5 freeway and allow a greater connection between the two neighborhoods that were once divided by a highway . The campus master plan proposes three streets that would cross the freeway cap to allow access between the two communities. First, Fifth, and Seventh avenue streets would terminate, and all major traffic would be redirected to Second and Sixth avenue. Second Avenue is located to the west of the Cal Western Campus and includes a road diet with two lanes for through traffic, two lanes for parking, bicycle lanes, and pedestrian sidewalks. Sixth Avenue connects directly with the perimeter of Balboa Park and would include a sidewalk on one side of the street; however, the primary use of this road is for vehicular traffic with four through lanes. On Fourth Avenue, the road is reserved for public transit and bikes to promote the use of public transportation and connect to the campus. There are two bus lanes, a rail line, two bike lanes, and pedestrian sidewalks on both sides of the street. There is a paved road that runs through the center of the campus on Third Avenue, however this will be used by service vehicles only and would provide a hard paved surface for community gatherings that could include the use of food trucks. The restrictions on personal vehicle use would allow a greater opportunity for connection between the general public and the proposed campus .

A freeway cap is a cover atop a roadway often serving to reconnect communities, increase green space, increase developable space, and/or serve as wildlife bridges. Atop the I-5, this freeway cap connects the more commercial portion of Cortez Hill south of the freeway to the more single-family residential side and Balboa Park north of the freeway. The freeway cap proposal is subdivided into four distinct yet connected “neighborhoods” each with its own features as well as shared features that include a primary path with edible landscapes (fruit trees), abundant pedestrian paths, and a fire lane. In addition to providing increased community amenities, the freeway cap also provides increased space for energy production. Below the cap and above, wind and solar power will be generated.

The west end neighborhood of the freeway cap spans between 1st and 2nd Avenue. This section includes play areas for different age groups as well as a community garden, surrounded by shrubs, trees, and grass. These elements give back to the community through food production and investment in the health of multiple generations. The intentional combination of the community garden and play areas works to promote healthy, sustainable habits among the community, including the youth.

To the east, between 2nd and 4th Avenue, is the neighborhood that serves as Cal Western’s campus quad. Located between the four future campus parcels, it serves to connect the campus buildings physically and socially. With ample fixed and movable seating, open green spaces, formal gardens, and areas utilized for food trucks, the campus and the broader San Diego community have the opportunity to engage with one another in a more relaxed manner.

Between 4th and 6th Avenue is a bustling community activity space. This neighborhood includes an amphitheater to hold gatherings ranging from lectures by the campus to local artist performances, as well as a skate park, pedestrian bridge, food truck space, and a sculpture garden. The main goal of this parcel is to give space for voices to be heard and seen, promoting creativity and trust among the campus and community.

Connected to the neighborhood west of it by a pedestrian bridge, the final neighborhood spans between 6th and 8th Avenue, connecting the cap to the existing Balboa Park. This sports neighborhood includes ample courts for basketball, beach volleyball, and tennis. These courts provide space for large expanses of solar panels above that will capture the sun’s energy. Food truck space, seating areas, and other recreation opportunities are provided as well, with an overall intention of promoting activity and connecting the broader community with the freeway cap.