Project Background

The City of San Diego is modifying the roadway segment of University Avenue between Fairmount Avenue and Euclid Avenue to improve safety and mobility along the University Avenue corridor for pedestrians, transit, and automobile traffic.

Project Overview

The University Avenue Complete Street Phase 1 project will construct safety improvements along University Avenue, between Fairmount Avenue and Euclid Avenue, featuring:

• Roadway improvements, including roundabouts at the intersections with Highland Avenue, Chamoune Avenue and Menlo Avenue , raised center medians, asphalt overlay, and re-striping.
• Pedestrian improvements, including rectangular rapid flashing beacons at pedestrian crosswalks, High-Intensity Activated Crosswalk (HAWK) which is a traffic control device used to stop road traffic and allow pedestrians to cross safely, widened sidewalks, curb extensions to shorten crossing distances, and curb ramps.
• Transit improvements, including new transit stops and extended existing transit stops.

• Drainage improvements, including a new storm drain system.

  The overall project is within one of the most densely populated areas in San Diego. The area includes residential neighborhoods, business districts, major arterial corridors that connect neighborhoods, local streets, and pedestrian corridors.

Construction Schedule

Construction mobilized in January 2023 and is anticipated to be substantially complete in early 2025.

Anticipated work for October and November 2024:

• Widening sidewalks and installing curb extensions on the south side of University Avenue between Chamoune Avenue and Menlo Avenue.
• Installing irrigation and electrical conduit on the south side of University Avenue between Chamoune Avenue and Menlo Avenue.
• Installing alley aprons and curb ramps on the south side of University Avenue between Highland Avenue and Chamoune Avenue.
• Installing popouts, sidewalk and center median for the roundabout on the south side of the Highland intersection.
  • This construction operation will require an eastbound traffic detour for approximately five weeks, from Oct. 14 to Nov. 18 and may be extended as needed. Eastbound traffic on University Avenue will be detoured around construction activity at the intersection of University and Highland Avenue. The detour will take drivers north on Fairmount Avenue to El Cajon Boulevard, east on El Cajon to Chamoune Avenue and south on Chamoune back to University.
• Installing stormwater improvements on the south side of University Avenue.

Drivers in the area should continue to expect traffic delays as construction crews work on and around University Avenue. Detours may also be in place for pedestrians accessing businesses, but businesses remain open and accessible during construction. Crews will continue to minimize impacts on the community as much as possible.

Progress update meetings

• City staff will begin hosting bi-weekly construction progress update meetings every other Monday at 9 a.m., beginning Monday, Oct. 21. Attendees can join by meeting at the open space between O'Reilly Auto Parts and GameStop near 4435 University Ave., San Diego, CA 92105.

Additional information on the project’s schedule and budget is available here.

Traffic Impacts

Starting Monday, Oct. 14, a detour will be in place for eastbound traffic on University Avenue near the intersection with Highland Avenue. Construction crews will be installing popouts, a sidewalk and a center median for a roundabout on the south side of the intersection, which will take approximately five weeks. The detour will take drivers north on Fairmount Avenue to El Cajon Boulevard, east on El Cajon to Chamoune Avenue and south on Chamoune back to University.

During this work, MTS bus routes 7 and 10 will also be detoured. For the latest detour information, please visit their website: sdmts.com/getting-around/alerts-detours.

Additional temporary road closures, traffic rerouting, parking and access restrictions will be in effect during construction. All businesses remain open during construction and pedestrian access is provided.

Email Updates and Contact Information

All efforts will be taken to minimize impacts on the residents and businesses in the community. The impacts may change as construction progresses. To help keep the community informed about the anticipated construction activities and impacts, updates will be posted on this page and emailed to subscribers as significant events occur.

To receive the email updates, submit your email address in the "Join Our Email List" box on the right side of this page and select the "Project Updates: University Avenue Complete Street Phase 1" email list.