News Summary
Construction on Genesee Avenue as part of the Pure Water San Diego initiative is causing significant traffic disruptions. The project aims to generate up to 50% of the city’s drinking water from recycled sources by 2035. Local businesses are feeling the impact with increased delays and accessibility issues. Scheduled temporary closures are also expected to exacerbate traffic woes. Residents are encouraged to avoid the area and stay informed about detours and construction updates.
San Diego is facing significant traffic disruptions as construction on Genesee Avenue progresses as part of the city’s ambitious Pure Water San Diego initiative. Drivers and local businesses are expected to experience increased delays and bottlenecks, particularly near the State Route 52 (SR-52) interchange, where construction has reduced the roadway to one lane in each direction.
The construction work, which began in spring 2024, is a key component of a larger $1.4 billion project aimed at generating nearly 50% of the city’s drinking water from purified recycled sources by 2035. The initiative is being led by the city’s Public Utilities Department to ensure a reliable water supply for future generations.
Local business owners are already reporting the negative impact of the ongoing construction, with some customers struggling to locate establishments due to traffic difficulties. For instance, Ethan Stern, the owner of Lorna’s Italian Kitchen, indicated that traffic issues have been problematic for potential customers trying to access his restaurant. Residents like Trebie Solina have also expressed frustrations, noting that rush hour traffic can extend backups past Nobel Drive.
As part of the construction, temporary closures are scheduled, including an important closure set for Genesee Avenue at SR-52 starting Friday, April 11, at 7 p.m. This closure will last until Monday, April 14, to facilitate sewer bypass work and pipeline installation. During this period, northbound traffic is expected to be redirected toward SR-52 east with detours leading to the Nobel Drive exit off I-805 North. Southbound drivers will be directed to SR-52 west and then diverted to Regents Road. Detour signs will be prominently posted at Governor Drive, Appleton Street, and on both SR-52 and I-805 by Caltrans to guide drivers effectively.
Once the sewer bypass installation is complete, one southbound lane of Genesee Avenue will reopen to traffic, although overall construction is expected to create ongoing detours and delays in the region. The construction team is currently focused on installing the pipeline and tunneling work, which is primarily happening underneath city streets. Construction near Marian Bear Park is anticipated to be completed by fall 2025, with additional restoration work—including improvements to medians, curb ramps, and repaving—following soon after.
Looking ahead, as the tunneling work wraps up, construction will then shift to the intersection of Genesee and Nobel Drive, which is likely to lead to further detours and hinder traffic flow in the area. Given the scale of the project, citizens have been advised to steer clear of the Genesee Avenue vicinity to help alleviate traffic congestion during peak hours.
Juan Guerreiro, Director of the City’s Public Utilities Department, underscored the critical nature of this pipeline project within the broader context of the Pure Water initiative. He expressed appreciation for the public’s patience as construction progresses, recognizing the disruption it causes to everyday life in the community.
The Pure Water San Diego program is designed to incorporate cutting-edge water purification technology to produce high-quality drinking water, which is essential for maintaining sustainable resources in the region. The continuous improvements will ultimately enhance the city’s water supply while addressing the growing demand placed on existing systems.
As San Diego moves forward with these necessary infrastructure improvements, residents are encouraged to stay informed and prepare for the expected traffic changes in order to navigate the area more efficiently during this construction period.
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Additional Resources
- CBS 8: Progress on Genesee Avenue Construction
- 10News: San Diego Plans Push for Affordable Housing
- Fox 5 San Diego: Genesee Avenue Closure Due to Construction
- NBC San Diego: Genesee Avenue Closing for Weekend Construction
- Times of San Diego: Road Closure for Genesee at SR-52
- Wikipedia: Traffic Congestion
- Google Search: Traffic Disruptions in San Diego
- Google Scholar: Water Infrastructure in San Diego
- Encyclopedia Britannica: Water Supply Issues
- Google News: San Diego Construction Traffic
