SANDAG on Saturday opened the long-awaited Pershing Bikeway through Balboa Park, with City Council President Sean Elo-Rivera, other lawmakers and bike enthusiasts in attendance.
The new 2.3-mile bikeway includes a two-way separated bikeway and a pedestrian path. The bikeway starts at Utah Street and Landis Street in North Park, continues through Balboa Park along Pershing Drive, and ends at C Street in downtown San Diego.
The bikeway has a set of road improvements, including a diagonal crossing at B Street and 19th Street. Another feature is a 75-foot bridge, allowing people to cross over Florida Canyon creek.
“Everyone deserves to have safe and affordable options to get where they need to go,” said Elo-Rivera, who is also vice chair of SANDAG. “The new Pershing Bikeway expands opportunity and safety for my constituents and many more San Diegans.”
More features include a 65-foot diameter roundabout with a camphor tree at the intersection of Pershing Drive and Redwood Street. Also added are five new pedestrian intersections and 70 path lights.
The Pershing Bikeway is part of the Regional Bike Plan Early Action, an initiative approved by the SANDAG Board of Directors in 2013. The initiative aims for a more bike and pedestrian-friendly region, looking to reduce greenhouse gas emissions and vehicle miles traveled, as well as improve air quality, public health, and livability.
SANDAG has now opened 27 miles of new bikeway with the Pershing Bikeway opening.
“The new Pershing Drive represents the best kind of urban planning–it’s visually appealing and welcomes people to get out of their cars and enjoy a walk or a bike ride,” said Rep. Scott Peters, who represents the district. “Projects like this help San Diego meet its climate goals and I look forward to seeing more bike boulevards in the city’s future.”
SANDAG worked closely with Balboa Park horticulturalists and park designers to choose the landscape and plants. Construction costs of $14 million were funded by TransNet, the regional half-cent sales tax for transportation, administered by SANDAG.
