SAN DIEGO — People living near Akins Avenue in Encanto reached out to CBS 8 about multiple construction projects happening along the stormwater channel. They wanted information on the timelines for completion, so CBS 8 went to work on getting those answers.
'Nothing has changed'
“They have the orange stretchy material across sections so the fencing has not been replaced in several sections up and down Imperial,” said Encanto resident Rolanda Bradley.
“I drive past this every day and so I’m just noticing it. I’m like, ‘Ok I haven’t seen them in a while, but nothing has changed,'" said Bradley. "The fence has not been fixed. The intersection has not been fixed.”
Bradley brought up several issues involving different agencies.
The first is the temporary mesh fencing that runs along the stormwater channel along Akins Avenue. CBS 8 reached out to San Diego’s Stormwater Department. They told us chain-link fencing is going to be reinstalled in the area in the October/November timeframe.
Bradley raised other questions about the concrete embankment in a section of the storm channel.
“It looks like a piece of concrete that they’re pulling up on the side I guess so the water can flow down a little bit more easily, but they didn’t come all the way down,” explained Bradley.
We talked to the City of San Diego
CBS 8 reached out to the City of San Diego, and they confirmed the fact that they have to reinstall the concrete bank on that section, but they told CBS 8 that the work would encroach on the right-of-way for the trolley line, so they say any timeline for completion will depend on their discussions and coordination with MTS.
Bradley also brought up the fact that a pedestrian crossing over the trolley tracks at 69th and Imperial has been blocked off for quite some time. CBS 8 reached out to MTS about it, and the agency sent us the following statement:
"The track work being done at 69th and Imperial is due to collateral impact from a nearby construction project by the City of San Diego. The City’s work is causing the tracks to sink and MTS is taking steps to keep the tracks on level grade so Trolleys can operate safely through the crossing. MTS is working with the City to mitigate this issue and anticipates the track work to be completed in the winter."
CBS 8 asked MTS when the pedestrian crossing will reopen to public access, and did not receive a firm answer on when that will be.
“It feels like you’re off-roading when you’re going to certain parts of Akins Avenue, right after trolley station,” said Bradley, describing the poor condition of Akins Avenue between 65th Street and 69th Street.
CBS 8's Brian White observed firsthand the many potholes and surface issues along this stretch of Akins, and submitted a couple of Get it Done reports for some of the potholes.
As for a full resurfacing, San Diego’s Transportation Department told CBS 8 that Akens Avenue will receive an asphalt overlay once all the other projects nearby are finished, which could be by the end of next year.
“I would just like for them to follow through and to be consistent in following through in all of their neighborhoods," said Bradley. “If you’re going to do it, do it completely. Come all the way through and so that we can just continue using our street like we should be able to.”
At CBS 8, we are always Working for You and our community. This is a station promise that we will go the extra mile to solve a problem our audience can’t solve themselves. We want to hear your ideas on how we can cover and help our community. If you have a story idea, please email us at workingforyou@cbs8.com.
WATCH RELATED: City makes progress on clearing storm channels, Southcrest neighbors remain on edge