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Encinitas Votes to Scale Back Santa Fe Drive Redesign, Removing Back-In Parking and a Bike Lane

City leaders cited navigation problems on the newly rebuilt segment by the high school.

Overview

  • The City Council voted 4–1 after a special meeting to adopt staff’s Alternative B for reworking the western stretch of Santa Fe Drive.
  • The plan widens vehicle lanes from 10 to 11 feet, swaps back-in angled spaces for parallel parking, removes planter boxes and water-quality basins, and eliminates the south-side separated bike lane while retaining the north-side lane by the campus.
  • Parking near San Dieguito Academy changes from 46 back-in spaces to an estimated 44–47 parallel spots.
  • Estimated costs are $3.2 million to $3.6 million, covering up to $2 million for roadway changes, $400,000 for a new westbound bike lane east of Bonita Drive, and $1.2 million for upgrades at the Nardo/MacKinnon and Bonita/Windsor intersections.
  • Construction is projected to last 8–10 months once final designs and contracts return for approval, following hours of divided public testimony on whether to overhaul the newly finished work.