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Art or graffiti? Newly installed wall above I-5 already covered in spray paint

"It just don't look good. It's not good for the community," said David Brown.

SAN DIEGO — Graffiti or art?

A newly installed sound wall along I-5 in Barrio Logan is now covered in spray paint, sparking mixed reaction from neighbors.

The wall was recently put in as part of a Caltrans project, and stretches nearly a half mile from 28th to 32nd streets.

"It just don't look good. It's not good for the community," said David Brown. 

Caltrans told CBS 8 that while it does seem to be "high quality graffiti," it's not part of a planned mural, and is there illegally — likely the result of different people and groups who climb over a barrier and usually work at night.

“No me gusta,” said Alfredo Garcia.

Garcia said unlike the murals in Chicano Park, this is vandalism.

But, other people told CBS 8 it is art, done as a form of expression.

Last March, Caltrans teamed up with the City of San Diego to break ground on a linear park here, which will include a splash pad, green area and bike path. The sound wall is a part of that.

Now that it's covered in graffiti, CBS 8 asked Cal Trans what they plan to do.

A spokesperson said they will re-paint the wall, though a timeline hasn't been set because there are higher priority areas that have received more complaints.

Neighbors believe it's a short term fix for a problem that doesn't have a permanent solution.

“It won't be long. As soon as they paint it, they'll wait probably a week or two and go back to it again. It's gonna continue to be like that for a while," said Lonny Brown.

A Caltrans spokesperson told CBS 8 it's expected the area will be vandalized again.

Last year, Caltrans spent $570,329 painting over graffiti in San Diego and Imperial counties. To date, this year, they've spent over $250,000.

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