Residents rallied at the intersection of Altadena Avenue and El Cajon Boulevard, where a man was seriously injured last August when he was struck by a car while crossing the five lanes of traffic.
A study by City traffic engineers found that the location met crosswalk warrants and residents are requesting the City to create a safe crossing for pedestrians.
District 9 Council Representative Rudy Vargas-Lima, confirmed that the City will move forward creating a “marked crosswalk” with “rectangular rapid flash beacons” and that the project is funded, but not scheduled at this time.
The intersection falls just outside the El Cajon Mobility Study, an ongoing project to develop infrastructure improvements that benefit the Rapid Bus service and make the corridor more friendly to pedestrians and cyclists.
The neighborhood has a large population of Karen refugees from Burma and either because of fear of authority or language obstacles, residents say that many of the accidents at this intersection go unreported.
Environmental Health Coalition (EHC) has stepped in to help residents advocate for safer and healthier streets.
“Without having those safety improvements here,” said Monique López of EHC, “is another day the community’s at risk.”
–Speak City Heights on YouTube
Tags: Bicycling, CA, California, City Heights, Cycling, El Cajon, El Cajon Mobility Study, Pedestrian, safety, San Diego, Speak City Heights, Video, YouTube