THE PROBLEM: With gas prices above $4 a gallon, Robert DeGuevara likes to carpool to work whenever possible. But the Caltrans Park and Ride lot in El Cajon that is closest to his home has been closed for about seven months.
THE SITE: East Washington Avenue near Jamacha Road in El Cajon.
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The lot, on East Washington Avenue near Jamacha Road, was blocked off for resurfacing with yellow tape, sawhorses and orange cones. An orange sign announced that it would be closed “until Winter 07.”
The lot, located next to a bus stop, was resurfaced, but parking spaces weren't restriped, new lighting wasn't turned on and new hardscape is overgrown with weeds.
When Just Fix It drove by recently, the “Closed” sign was lying facedown in the lot, and only an orange cone and a large chunk of concrete kept drivers out. Still, the only thing we saw parked in the lot was an abandoned shopping cart.
For now, DeGuevara drives to a Park and Ride lot in La Mesa. He doesn't want to risk getting a ticket or being towed.
STATUS: Caltrans uses the lot, but sold it to a developer. Agency spokesman Edward Cartagena said Caltrans had an agreement with Shoreline Communities, which was building a housing tract next to the Park and Ride, to resurface the lot, replace lighting and add landscaping.
The lot was repaved, but the developer didn't finish because of financial difficulties, Cartagena said. He said the developer had to take out a performance bond for the parking-lot project, which Caltrans hopes to use to finish the work as quickly as possible.
Until the work is complete, the lot is off-limits to the public, Cartagena said.
WHO'S RESPONSIBLE: Chris Schmidt, a Caltrans senior planner, who can be reached at (619) 688-6670 or chris.schmidt@dot.ca.gov. Requests for help from Caltrans can be reported at (619) 688-6670 or online at dot.ca.gov/dist11. Click on “Contact Us.”
KUDOS: Motorist Edward Huntington contacted us recently about a freeway sign on southbound Interstate 15 near Rancho Bernardo Road that said “Ted William Parkway” instead of Ted Williams.
We gave him the phone number to complain to Caltrans. Huntington got an answer from Caltrans employee Lynne Cory right away. Caltrans was already aware of the mistake and hopes to replace the sign in the next few weeks.
NEED A PROBLEM SOLVED: Is there a problem government hasn't fixed 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.
