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NewsKPBS Public MediaAugust 28, 2026San Diego

SANDAG begins $21.6 million street safety and bike lane construction on Orange and Central Avenues

The San Diego Association of Governments (SANDAG) has broken ground on the North Park | Mid-City Complete Streets project, which will add 3.3 miles of bike lanes and traffic-calming infrastructure to Orange and Central Avenues. The $21.6 million project aims to improve safety for pedestrians and cyclists by adding features like median islands, curb extensions, and raised crosswalks. Construction on the Orange Avenue segment is slated for completion by 2028, with the Central Avenue segment expected to open in 2027.

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Why It Matters

Residents in North Park and Mid-City will see significant changes to local road layouts, including new bike routes and traffic-calming measures, over the next three to four years.

Key Facts

  • The project covers 3.3 miles of new bike lanes and routes.
  • The total project budget is $21.6 million.
  • Orange Avenue will receive 2.1 miles of buffered bike lanes.
  • Orange Avenue improvements include median islands, a traffic circle, curb extensions, and raised crosswalks.
  • Central Avenue improvements include a mix of Class I separated paths, Class II painted lanes, and Class III routes.
  • The Orange Avenue project is scheduled for completion by 2028.
  • The Central Avenue project is scheduled for completion by 2027.
  • Planning for the Orange Avenue bikeway began at least as early as 2019.
  • Planning for the Central Avenue project began at least as early as 2018.
  • The project connects to existing bikeways on University Avenue, Landis Street, Meade Avenue, and the SR-15 Commuter Bikeway.

Who's Mentioned

locationCentral Avenue“Primary project site”personSean Elo-Rivera“San Diego City Council member representing District 9”personJoe LaCava“San Diego City Council president and First Vice Chair of the SANDAG board”locationOrange Avenue“Primary project site”personAnar Salayev“Executive director of Bike SD”organizationSANDAG“San Diego Association of Governments, the agency leading the project”