Go Play on the Freeway: Route 52 Extension Opened to Pedestrians

La Mesans and others navigating local highways at rush hour had something to celebrate Saturday—the final freeway link between Santee and La Jolla. Bicyclists and runners took over the soon-to-be-busy freeway lanes, and bands played, after the ribbon cutting by city and county leaders.

Miss La Mesa Katie Martin and Miss Teen La Mesa Monica Popp joined their Santee counterparts at the ribbon-cutting. Also present were Rep. Duncan D. Hunter, county Supervisor Dianne Jacob and many city officials, including La Mesa Councilman Dave Allan.

The 3.5-mile portion of state Route 52 completes the 17.7-mile link between state Route 67 at Santee and Interstate 5 near La Jolla—a project valued at $255 million.  It was funded by  a Prop. 1B transportation bond, local TransNet half-cent sales tax and federal sources. Its completion is expected to remove heavy traffic from Mission Gorge Road and Mast Boulevard.

The formal opening—when cars can use the pavement—is expected March 26.

The first 3,500 at the event got free “SR 52 Sea to Santee'” T-shirts, and free food and other goodies were in abundance. Aircraft from the Gillespie Air Show performed flyovers for the celebration, and guests also took in a car show, wandering clowns and balloon sculptors, gymnastics demonstrations, high school bands.

The San Diego County Sheriff's Department brought its car crash display, lending a serious note.

According to KeepSanDiegoMoving.com, which tracks progress on local highway projects, “The SR 52 project will reduce identified environmental impacts through the preservation of plant and animal species. In addition, coordination between the project and the Lakeside River Park Conservancy will provide for the establishment of a riparian habitat adjacent to the river. The project will work around bike paths and pedestrian trails that run alongside Forester Creek, offering users a safe and scenic tour of the valley.”

City News Service contributed to this report.