View a list of questions asked and answers provided at the Construction Information Session on January 25, 2021.
What is the Pershing Bikeway project?
The 2.3-mile Pershing Bikeway will improve safety and provide a critical north-south connection for people of all ages and abilities to bike, walk, and roll through Balboa Park and between North Park and Downtown San Diego. Project features will include:
- Buffered bike lanes
- Two-way separated bikeway
- New continuous sidewalk from B Street to Upas Street
- Roundabout (Pershing Drive and Redwood Street)
- Neighborhood traffic circle (Redwood Street and 28th Street)
- Other traffic-calming features
Where is the project located?
The bikeway will run along Pershing Drive between C Street and Upas Street. At the north end, the Pershing Bikeway will connect to the Landis Bikeway via Upas and Utah streets, and at the south end will connect to the C Street cycle track at 19th Street. The completed bikeway will connect homes and businesses in North Park with locations in Balboa Park such as Bird Park and Morley Field, and many destinations downtown.
When will this project be built?
The SANDAG Board of Directors approved the award for the construction contract in October 2021. Construction will begin in early 2022 and the bikeway is anticipated to be complete and open to the public in 2024.
Who will this project benefit?
The Pershing Bikeway will provide a safe and convenient route to and through Balboa Park for people walking, biking, and rolling, and will connect people to employment, schools, and activity centers in the area. The improvements along Pershing Drive will create safer biking and walking conditions for people of all ages and abilities and will establish an important connection between North Park and Downtown San Diego.
Why is this project needed?
Existing conditions along Pershing Drive include high speeds and excess room for vehicles, creating safety and connectivity challenges for people biking, walking, and rolling. This project will greatly improve safety and mobility along the corridor with protected bikeways, walkways, and traffic-calming measures.
How is this project funded?
The Pershing Bikeway project is funded by TransNet Bicycle, Pedestrian, and Neighborhood Safety Program funds. TransNet is the region’s voter-approved, half-cent sales tax for transportation administered by SANDAG.
Who will maintain the bikeway when it’s complete?
The City of San Diego will maintain the bikeway once it is complete and open to the public.
Will trees be removed?
While some trees will be removed during construction, approximately 180 new trees will be planted as part of the project. For more information, please view the project landscaping FAQs in English and en Español.
Will there be landscaping installed as part of the project? What types of plants/trees?
Many drought-resistant plants and trees will be planted as part of the project, please see the project plant palette in English and en Español for more information.
What can I expect during construction? (Traffic control plans, detours, etc.)
During construction, only one southbound vehicle travel lane will be open along Pershing Drive between Florida Drive / 26th Street and Upas Street / 28th Street. The northbound vehicle travel lane will be closed along this stretch and northbound traffic should use alternative routes. Detours for northbound vehicle traffic will be in place at Florida Drive. The vehicle lane closure will accommodate space for a temporary two-way bikeway that will be located along the west side of the road to provide a safe place for people biking and walking throughout construction. For more information, please see the project traffic control diagram in English and en Español.
Will vehicle travel lanes be eliminated to accommodate the bikeway?
Two of the four vehicle travel lanes on Pershing Drive were eliminated by the City of San Diego in fall 2021 in an interim configuration, resulting in one northbound vehicle lane and one southbound vehicle lane along most of Pershing Drive. The SANDAG Pershing Bikeway project will make these lane conversions permanent, but they will be realigned on the roadway to accommodate the new bikeway project features.
How can I stay informed about the latest construction activities?
You can stay up to date on the latest construction activities by signing up for project update emails at sandag.org/subscribe (Pershing Bikeway under “Bikeway & Walkway Projects”). You can also follow @SANDAG on Twitter and search for #GObyBIKEsd.
Who do I contact if I have a question or concern that isn’t covered above?
You may contact the SANDAG GO by BIKE Team at [email protected] or on our toll-free hotline:(833) 899-BIKE (2453).