Our View: Keep fine-tuning, while advancing, Torrey Pines plans
Work on the Torrey Pines Road Corridor Project is still a ways down the pike, but we think last week’s Traffic & Transportation Board vote is a step in the right direction.
On a 5-1-1vote, board members agreed with the city’s recommendation to start with Segment 4. Running from Little Street to La Jolla Shores Drive, this piece is the longest, but the least costly, because it requires few retaining walls and money is already allocated to design and building of those walls. It’s also a bit less complex because it doesn’t have right-of-way issues that must be cleared up before any work can move forward.
Not everyone thinks starting there is wise — either because they want smaller segments, a different one or safety before beauty. But Sherri Lightner was probably right when she said if any more delays get in the way, it’s possible the roadblock may be too much to overcome.
We share the concerns of those who have raised questions about traffic controls during the project and exacerbating the image that “It’s impossible to get into La Jolla” which merchants say is hurting business. But we also share the concern that the hillside needs to be stabilized, sooner rather than later.
Imagine how tough traffic would be in the case of even a small landslide in that area.
Some money is available now to start on that work, and with the city willing to work some of the safety and traffic control measures in at the same time, La Jollans would be foolish to reject the project out of hand.
Getting even a small part of it done is better than none. We hope La Jolla Community Planning Association trustees (who may take up the measure on July 7) agree with the traffic and transportation committee members. That vote will be the last stop before the project goes to the city council.
When that happens, we urge those who have worked so hard to get their concerns about safety heard should keep pushing because we know full well that those walking or cycling — and driving — that stretch of road are taking a risk every day.
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