Project will repair more than two miles of streets damaged during the 2007 Witch Creek fireSAN DIEGO – Mayor Todd Gloria was joined by San Diego City Councilmember Marni von Wilpert recently to kick off the Witch Creek Fire Street Improvements project. This project will repair 2.3 miles of streets in Rancho Bernardo that were damaged by the 2007 Witch Creek Fire.
“San Diego’s road-repair investments have historically been as patchy as our pavement and inadequate to keep our network of roughly 3,000 miles of streets in the condition that residents expect,” said Mayor Todd Gloria. “My administration is moving to change that with consistent, focused investments in cost-effective road repairs. The residents of Rancho Bernardo’s Westwood neighborhood have waited far too long for their streets to be fixed, and I’m happy that, today, we are getting it done.”
The improvements include repairing the existing roadway with asphalt overlay, upgrading sidewalks and curb ramps to be ADA-compliant, removing and replacing cross gutters and curbs and gutters, and restriping roadways.
The total cost is approximately $5.26 million. Funding for the project includes $2.5 million in a state grant designated for wildfire repairs provided by State Senate President pro Tempore Toni G. Atkins.
“Sixteen years after the Witch Creek fire burned through this community, the Westwood neighborhood of Rancho Bernardo is finally on its way to healing,” said State Senate President pro Tempore Toni G. Atkins. “I appreciate the residents who never stopped advocating for funding to fix their streets.”
The Witch Creek Fire started just after noon on October 21, 2007. Arcing power lines whipped by Santa Ana winds sparked flames east of Ramona in the Witch Creek area. By the next morning, the fire had reached the San Diego City limits and merged with the Guejito Fire which started in the San Pasqual Valley. These fires burned more than 197,000 acres in San Diego County, including more than 9,000 acres in the city.
All of the 365 residences in the city that were destroyed by the fire were in the community of Rancho Bernardo.
“I am grateful for the opportunity to partner with California Senate President pro Tempore Toni G. Atkins and Mayor Todd Gloria to bring these long-awaited repairs to the Westwood Community of Rancho Bernardo,” said Councilmember Marni von Wilpert, who represents District 5. “Sixteen years later, this community is still recovering from the devastating wildfires. These repairs are critical to that recovery process.”
Work will take place on Aguamiel Road, Azucar Way, Alcalde Court, Grillo Court, Nevoso Way, Sedero Court, Palito Court, Danza Circle, Escoba Place, Aliento Court and Cabela Drive. All resurfacing is expected to be completed by the end of June.
(City of San Diego Release)
