The Montezuma Trail:
A Proposed Bike, Transit
& Pedestrian Corridor
in the College Area
By Steve Barlow, Chair
CACC Beautification Committee
[Note: A presentation on this proposal will be made at the February 13 CACC meeting, 7 p.m. at the College Rolando Library. The board will be voting on approval of the project concept.]
Anyone who has walked, biked, or driven up or down Montezuma Road knows it can be a drab and chaotic roadway extending from Fairmont Avenue on the west to
El Cajon Boulevard on the east. In particular, the western section, from 55th Street west to Fairmont and the I-8 interchange, is often strewn with litter not easily removed because of the dangerous conditions that currently exist, and characterized by speeding cars that endanger the few hardy bicyclists who dare to use the avenue as part of their bike route.
The Beautification Committee, in conjunction with the full College Area Community Council, is proposing to change Montezuma into an example of what future traffic corridors in San Diego might look like. Indeed, the CACPB has designated bicycle and pedestrian safety improvements on the above-referenced stretch of road as its number one capital improvement priority for the community. We hope to increases pedestrian and bicycle safety along the length of Montezuma Road by mitigating the impact of increased traffic, and increase the use of alternate modes of transportation other than private motor vehicles. Along the westernmost section, from Fairmont Avenue to 55th Street, our proposal would create a "Gateway" entrance to the College Area that compliments and enhances both San Diego State University and the College Area communities.
Montezuma Road can be divided into two distinct portions: the eastern part from 55th St. east to El Cajon Boulevard, which runs through highly developed, mostly residential areas and San Diego State University; and the western strip from 55th west to Fairmont Avenue, characterized by a wide boulevard running down a canyon with minimal development on the north side.
For the eastern portion, we propose to add a dedicated bike lane physically separated from traffic and running alongside the sidewalk on each side of Montezuma from El Cajon Boulevard to 55th Street. The roadway along this stretch is already wide enough to accommodate two lanes of traffic in each direction as well as one-way dedicated bike lanes. For most of the roadway, parking is already prohibited, so dedicated bike lanes would have minimal impact. Because this portion of Montezuma is already developed, there are few opportunities to add either landscaping or artwork, or enlarge bus stops. However, our hope is that some of the elements proposed for the western segment will be adapted and incorporated here.
The western portion of Montezuma, by comparison, offers several more opportunities for enhancement. First, there is no pedestrian access along the north side of Montezuma because there is no sidewalk between the bicycle/pedestrian bridge at Fairmont and I-8, and Yerba Santa. We envision a "Trail" composed of both colorized concrete and decomposed granite that would increase public access along the north side of Montezuma Road as well as providing plantings and cultural opportunities previously unavailable to the community. Second, in an effort to increase alternate forms of transportation and promote safety, a bi-directional bike lane is proposed to provide enhanced accessibility to the various College Area communities and San Diego State University. These lanes are proposed to run on the north side of Montezuma from the existing bicycle/pedestrian overpass on Fairmount Ave. and I-8 up to 55th Street. We would also like to see bi-directional bike lanes on the south side of Montezuma from Collwood Boulevard west to Fairmont. These bike lanes would be part of future improvements along Fairmont Ave. being proposed by CalTrans in conjunction with the Talmadge, Kensington, and Mid-City communities. This can be deferred until bike lanes are installed on Fairmount, south of Montezuma. In essence, the lack of bike lanes and sidewalks in these areas renders the bicycle overpass a "bridge to no-where." Third, native and water-wise plantings are proposed to be installed along multiple points of the trail in order to create a more aesthetic access corridor for the community and increase the publics awareness of alternative plants that conserve water and beautify this neglected space. Fourth, in an effort to support local artists and the San Diego State Art Department, various "Art Nooks" will be installed to feature art and/or sculpture, on loan from or donated by these groups. By promoting art and varied culture within our community we encourage our youth to participate and embrace the arts. Fifth, existing bus stop locations along Montezuma are to be upgraded to include larger concrete pads that will facilitate new passenger shelters wherever feasible. These shelters will promote greater usage and provide enhanced passenger comfort while providing advertising opportunities for local businesses. Lastly, given that one of the project goals is to enhance overall public safety, we envision a designated turn-out spot along Montezuma, approaching the Fairmont interchange for motor vehicles. Given the tremendous volume of automobile traffic along this section of road, accidents, fender benders and flat tires require a safe spot to exit the lanes and allow traffic to continue unencumbered.
We understand our proposal is quite ambitious, and will require partnering with other citizens and local agencies that share our goals, including SDSU, our San Diego City council person, Marti Emerald, our San Diego County representative Diane Jacob, CalTrans, SANDAG, and, of course, the residents in the College Area and adjacent communities that could connect to an improved and safer Montezuma Road. Several of these agencies are already addressing problems along the eastern segment of this corridor, and should be willing to work with us to implement this Montezuma Trail proposal. We feel that these enhancements along the length of Montezuma will raise the appearance of Montezuma to a level that justifies its role as a primary pedestrian, transit, bike and automobile route into and through the College Area. We welcome additional input from our community to improve this concept as it makes its way from the conceptual stage to reality.
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