District 11

Nov. 7, 2007

Contact: Public Information Officer Edward Cartagena Phone: (619) 688-6670

Temporary Concrete Barrier Will Add Extra Measure Of Safety For Residents

SAN DIEGO –The California Department of Transportation (Caltrans) will begin work Monday to install a temporary concrete safety barrier on a portion of westbound State Route 94, just east of College Avenue in the city of La Mesa.

Caltrans District Director Pedro Orso-Delgado said the 750-feet of temporary safety barrier will provide an added measure of safety for residents below the grade of the freeway from speeding motorists who may lose control of their vehicles and end up in their back yards. These residential back yards are located some 30-40 feet from the pavement.

“All state highways are designed to accommodate the speeds and behavior that are associated with safe driving,” said Orso-Delgado. “Excessive speeds were a major contributing factor in the past two fatal incidents in this area, and this safety barrier should help those homeowners rest easy despite the irresponsibility of some drivers.”

Orso-Delgado said the work to install the temporary safety barrier will start Monday and take about two days to complete. The cost is about $20,000.

He said the Department is currently working on plans for an interchange improvement at College Avenue that would include a more permanent type of barrier in the area. However, the project is more than a year away from construction.

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