SANDAG Fourth and Fifth Avenue Bikeways Construction Update November 2020

The following information was shared with the Mission Hills Parking Advisory Committee by SANDAG. While this project is not directly located within Mission Hills, the affected area is a thoroughfare from downtown to Mission Hills and the Uptown areas, therefore, construction may affect the parking and transportation within Mission Hills.

Recent Construction Activities

Over the past month, SANDAG crews continued construction of the Fourth and Fifth Avenue Bikeways in the City of San Diego. Crews continued construction of the median islands that will separate the bikeway from the parking and travel lanes on Fifth Avenue between Cedar and Laurel streets. Crews also constructed stormwater drainage improvements, upgraded curb ramps, and installed medians where landscaping will be planted at various intersections on Fourth Avenue between Cedar and Grape streets.

Upcoming Construction Activities

SANDAG crews will continue construction work along Fourth and Fifth avenues in Downtown San Diego and Bankers Hill. 

Fifth Avenue:

• Fir Street to Ivy Street: Crews will pave around the raised median islands on the west side of the street that separate the bikeway from the parking and travel lanes.
• Ivy Street to Laurel Street:Crews will form and pour concrete for the raised median islands.
• Laurel Street: Crews will begin constructing a concrete bus pad for the bus stop located on the northeast corner of the intersection.
• Electrical Work: Crews will perform electrical work for traffic signal improvements including trenching, installation of electrical wiring, and setting new traffic signal poles. Electrical work on Fifth Avenue is anticipated to occur at the intersections listed below:
  • A Street
  • Ash Street
  • Beech Street
  • Cedar Street
  • Elm Street
  • Laurel Street

Fourth Avenue:

• Cedar Street: Crews will finish a stormwater drainage improvement on the northwest corner of the intersection.
• Fir Street: Crews will finish a stormwater drainage improvement on the northwest corner of the intersection.
  
• Grape Street:Crews are constructing a stormwater drainage improvement on the northeast corner of the intersection.
  
• Electrical Work:Crews will perform electrical work for traffic signal improvements including trenching, installation of electrical wiring, and setting new traffic signal poles. Electrical work on Fourth Avenue is anticipated to occur at the intersections listed below:
  • A Street
  • Ash Street
  • Beech Street
  • Cedar Street
  • Elm Street
  • Grape Street

What to Expect During Construction

• Most work will occur Monday through Friday, holidays excluded, between 7 a.m. and 5 p.m. Occasional Saturday work may be required.
• Lane closures, traffic control, parking restrictions, and pedestrian detours will be in effect.
• Temporary bike lane closures: Bicyclists will be routed to the adjacent vehicle travel lane to bypass the existing bike lanes where crews will be working. Alternatively, people biking may choose a parallel route using the bike lanes on Sixth Avenue.
• Access to businesses and driveways will be maintained.

Crews will minimize impacts to the maximum extent possible. Please note, construction schedules are subject to change.

Construction notices will be posted online at KeepSanDiegoMoving.com/FourthandFifthBikewaysNotices.

About the Project

The Fourth and Fifth Avenue Bikeways project will add more than 4.5 miles of new bikeways that will make the streets safer and more pleasant for all users. They will provide a vital connection for residents to walk and bike between vibrant communities within San Diego’s urban core including Hillcrest, Bankers Hill, and Downtown San Diego.

Project features will include separated bikeways, buffered bike lanes, bike boxes, high-visibility crosswalks, and other traffic calming measures.

The Fourth and Fifth Avenue Bikeways project is a critical component of the SANDAG Regional Bike Plan Early Action Program (EAP), an initiative approved by the SANDAG Board of Directors in 2013 to construct a regional network of high-quality complete streets and bikeways that will make walking, biking, or using other forms of active transportation a competitive and attractive option for everyday travel. The proposed network reimagines how we use space on our streets to make them safer and more comfortable for every person who uses them, regardless of age, race, or physical ability.  

To learn more about Fourth and Fifth Avenue Bikeways, visit KeepSanDiegoMoving.com/FourthandFifthAvenueBikeways.

Questions/Concerns? Please email GObyBIKE@sandag.org or call the toll-free bikeway construction hotline at (833) 899-BIKE / (833) 899-2453. Follow @SANDAG on Twitter for construction updates; search for #GObyBIKEsd.