Dear Engineering,

Thank you for subscribing to the City of San Diego Engineering & Capital Projects Department's Infrastructure Quarterly, a seasonal newsletter containing a collection of articles to keep you updated on projects and plans related to the City's infrastructure.

Park Boulevard's New Look

The next time you drive past Balboa Park, things may feel and look slightly different. Park Boulevard has a fresh set of asphalt and striping. This comes after replacing more than two miles of water and sewer mains. The new lane arrangement includes a vehicle lane, a dedicated bus lane and a Class 4 buffered bike lane to improve safety for all road users throughout the corridor. High-visibility crosswalks and pedestrian improvements were also included in this project.

This project is a result of Mayor Todd Gloria’s “Sexy Streets” initiative, which previously allocated $40 million to repair 54 miles of roadways. This initiative has also led to important renovations in all council districts, so whatever part of the City you are in, be alert for construction crews.

Botanical Building Progress

The iconic Botanical Building in Balboa Park is getting a makeover. A $21 million restoration project, led by the City in partnership with the nonprofit Forever Balboa Park, aims to breathe new life into the historic structure and create a better experience for visitors. 

The Botanical Building was built in 1915 as part of the Panama-California Exposition and is one of only four structures that were designed to remain as permanent features in the park. It is recognized as one of the largest wood lath structures in the world and was designed to showcase the importance of horticulture. More than a century later, this project will restore the building to its original 1915 design. 

The building closed to the public in January 2022 to begin Phase I of the project, which is led by the City. This phase includes a complete building restoration, replacement of redwood lath and reconstruction of the historic window arcades. Phase I is expected to be completed in the spring of 2024. Then Forever Balboa Park will begin work on Phase II, which will improve the exterior landscaping, irrigation and the historic pergola. 

The restoration of the Botanical Building and gardens is a significant undertaking that aims to preserve the site's historic significance while improving its functionality and appeal. We appreciate your patience during this process and look forward to unveiling the revitalized Botanical Building.

Beyer Park Moving Forward

It’s been a long road, but the design phase for the Beyer Park project in San Ysidro wrapped up this past spring. Discussions surrounding the park started more than 20 years ago. Now, plans for an eight-acre park include a skate park, a playground, an amphitheater and gathering space, a geology plaza, a basketball court, jogging trails, shaded picnic tables, lighted multi-purpose turf sports fields, a dog park, on-site parking, drinking fountains and exercise stations. Environmental improvements will include 14 acres of habitat restoration, stormwater treatment basins and modular wetlands, and nearly 700 newly-planted trees. Construction bidding opened in June. 

A considerable amount of the legwork for the Beyer Park project was done by the local community. Councilmember Vivian Moreno, who represents Council District 8, and Casa Familiar, a nonprofit community advocacy group located in San Ysidro, were also heavily involved, pushing for the grant approval to fund the improvements. Casa Familiar advocated and provided research-based, community-led design ideas to ensure that Beyer Park will be environmentally and ecologically sustainable and responsive to community needs and desires.

Beyer Park will be a statement of representation for parks in disadvantaged communities and will provide an environmentally just, equal and innovative design for the residents of Council District 8.

Award-Winning Projects

Engineering Marvel: West Mission Bay Drive Bridge

In 2018, the City began a historic project to enhance safety and accessibility along a bustling route leading to some of our popular beach areas. After more than four years of meticulous planning and execution, the West Mission Bay Drive Bridge near SeaWorld was completed.

The project featured the removal of the previous four-lane bridge and the installation of two parallel structures, each with three lanes, greatly improving safety for drivers, cyclists and pedestrians. With expanded traffic lanes and dedicated pedestrian and bike paths on each bridge, travel is safer and more efficient and supports the vision of a sustainable and interconnected community. The project cost $148 million, $80 million of which came from President Joe Biden’s Bipartisan Infrastructure Law.

This remarkable achievement did not go unnoticed. The American Public Works Association (APWA) named the West Mission Bay Drive Bridge the Structures Project of the Year. This award recognizes the project team's exceptional contributions and unwavering commitment as they worked tirelessly to complete this once-in-a-generation project. 

Breaking Waves, Rising Hope: Ocean Beach Pier Emergency Repairs

In the wake of an intense winter storm season that ended in 2021, the Ocean Beach Pier faced considerable damage and partial public access for more than a year. A comprehensive assessment revealed that urgent repairs were needed for two pilings on the pier's western end. Employing an innovative pile jacketing method, the damaged sections were reinforced with steel and a resilient fiberglass shell. The emergency project was completed and the pier reopened in July 2022, just in time for the busy summer season. The APWA honored this unique repair with the Project of the Year award, recognizing the dedication and expertise demonstrated throughout the process. 

Since its establishment in 1966, the Ocean Beach Pier has endured the test of time. However, over the past two decades, the frequency of structural repairs has increased due to intensified wave exposure and ongoing degradation. Recent storms and high surf led to the temporary closure of the pier, adding to similar incidents over the years. A 2018 consultant study revealed that the pier has reached the end of its service life. As a result, the City initiated the Ocean Beach Pier Renewal project, which aims to provide a long-term solution for the pier through a potential replacement.

The City and E&CP are seeking highly skilled candidates to join our team. Currently, the City has more than 11,000 diverse and dedicated employees serving our communities. We accept applications for these opportunities continuously: 

• Principal Survey Aide
• Land Surveying Assistant
• Contract Specialist
• Assistant Civil Engineer
• Junior Civil Engineer

E&CP offers a collaborative and inclusive workplace with opportunities to contribute to our culture through employee-driven committees, a mentoring program and an extensive learning and development program. We invite you to learn more about working for E&CP by visiting our hiring page. 

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