THE PROBLEM: A teenage boy with a skateboard did everything right to safely cross Mira Mesa Boulevard just west of Interstate 15, but he came close to being hit.
He used the pedestrian signal button and crossed when the light turned green, but he still had to avoid cars coming off the freeway and turning right onto Mira Mesa Boulevard. Though there's a pedestrian signal, there isn't a marked crosswalk. The same is true just east of the freeway.
Louis Tooch said he complained to Caltrans about a year ago, but nothing changed.
“It's a hazard out there,” Tooch said.
Students from Mira Mesa walk to Scripps Ranch High School via Mira Mesa Boulevard. Just Fix It saw a student jaywalk across six lanes, while others crossed at a light just east of the freeway, the safest option even though there is no marked crosswalk.
There are marked crosswalks farther east and west, but most students cross near the freeway to cut through a business area, which carves minutes off their walk.
STATUS: Caltrans will add a temporary crosswalk across Mira Mesa Boulevard just west of the freeway within two months. This part of I-15 will soon undergo a major realignment, and the pedestrian crossing will be eliminated.
Eventually, a marked crosswalk and pedestrian signal just east of the freeway will be added. The realignment project will begin in the fall.
Caltrans is not required to provide crosswalks, but newer construction generally includes them.
WHO'S RESPONSIBLE: Gustavo Dallarda, Caltrans' corridor director for the I-15 project, who can be reached at (619) 688-6670 or gustavo.dallarda@dot.ca.gov. Requests for help can be filed online at dot.ca.gov/dist11. Click on “Contact us.”
UPDATE: Caltrans won't make more changes at the northbound exit to Nobel Drive off Interstate 5. Because a low concrete wall on the freeway overpass obstructs their view, motorists turning right on a red light need to nudge into traffic to see oncoming vehicles.
Caltrans added a pedestrian warning sign on the exit ramp but sees no reason to do more.
WHO'S RESPONSIBLE: William Valle, deputy director for maintenance and traffic for Caltrans District 11. Valle can be reached at (619) 688-6670 or william.valle@dot.ca.gov.
NEED A PROBLEM SOLVED: Is there a problem that government hasn't taken care of despite your complaints? Whether it's a missing bus bench or an unkempt park anywhere in San Diego County, Just Fix It might be able to help.
Complaint forms are at justfixit.uniontrib.com, or call (800) 820-8714 to describe your problem.
