Overview: La Mesa roadwork
La Mesa was awarded $3.5 for the La Mesa Boulevard Complete Streets Gateway Roundabout. The city also received a little more than $372,000 for the La Mesa Downtown Village Specific Plan.
Pothole haters, rejoice.
The city of La Mesa received some good news recently: The San Diego Association of Governments Board of Directors has approved a pair of financial packages to go towards roadwork in the Jewel of the Hills.
La Mesa was awarded $3.5 million for the La Mesa Boulevard Complete Streets Gateway Roundabout, which involves the design and installation of a roundabout at the intersection of University and Memorial Drive. The city also received a little more than $372,000 for the La Mesa Downtown Village Specific Plan.
Both investments are expected to improve the city’s safety, mobility, and connectivity.
“This is a huge win for the city,” said the city’s Director of Public Works, Michael Throne. “In addition to the roundabout, additional planned improvements include enhanced pedestrian crossings, lighting, and landscaping… shade trees, attractive landscaping, traffic calming and safety improvements, comfortable bike facilities, enhanced transit stops, and more.”
Throne added that the initiative will improve access to local businesses.
According to Throne, La Mesa is actively seeking additional funding sources for this specific project.
Advancing important initiatives without more funding burden
The La Mesa Village Specific Plan will also offer improvements for both locals and visitors.
“These funds allow the city to advance important initiatives without placing additional burden on the general fund and supports the city’s commitment to thoughtful growth, mobility, and economic vitality,” said La Mesa’s Director of Community Development, Lynnette Santos.
Santos added that phase two of the DVSP includes public outreach, preparation of an initial study in accordance with the California Environmental Quality Act, finalization of the Downtown Village Specific Plan Update, and public hearings.
As Santos sees it, the SANDAG contributions will connect residents, businesses, and visitors to safer, more efficient, and accessible transportation options while supporting mixed-use housing opportunities and economic development.
“Enhanced mobility planning supports safer streets, improved accessibility, and better connections between neighborhoods, transit, and commercial areas,” Santos said. “Together, these efforts help create a more vibrant downtown, strengthen local businesses, and expand housing and transportation choices for the community.”
