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Council accepts El Cajon Boulevard streetscape project, cites safety and business benefits
Summary
Council accepted the El Cajon Boulevard Streetscape project, authorized recording of a notice of completion and release of bonds; staff and council highlighted reduced speeds, shorter crosswalks and new parklets funded in part by grants.
The El Cajon City Council unanimously accepted the El Cajon Boulevard Streetscape project June 10 and authorized the city clerk to record a notice of completion and release the contractor’s bonds.
City staff said Tri Group Construction and Development began construction in early 2022 and reached substantial completion at the end of 2024. The project added a single-lane roundabout at Elkhorn Boulevard and Johnson Avenue, decorative street lights, new sidewalks, street trees, parklets (outdoor seating areas), storm-drain improvements, landscaping and irrigation.
Staff described safety benefits tied to the roundabout: reduced vehicle speeds, shorter pedestrian crossings (no longer than 40 feet in the new configuration) and fewer severe T-bone collisions. Staff also said vehicle queuing and idling have declined and that traffic flow improved with just one roundabout in place. The presentation credited grants from SANDAG ($2,500,000) and the San Diego River Conservancy ($250,000) as major contributors; staff said grant rules limited the funds’ uses to traffic-and-safety improvements.
Council members praised the project’s design, landscaping and business-facing changes such as parklets and organized diagonal parking. One council member noted a contractor delay of about 284 days and said the city is holding contract retainage pending resolution of outstanding items.
Staff recommended acceptance of the project and release of bonds; the council approved that recommendation by unanimous vote.
