El Camino Real Highway Improvement Project

At a glance

• What: Highway Bridge Program grant and Santa Fe Irrigation District reimbursement agreement for El Camino Real to Via De La Valle project (1/2 mile), Council District 1.
• Where it stands: Returned to staff May 12, 2026; resolutions adopted May 19, 2026 (vote 6-0).
• Funding: $183,413 engineering + $41.858 million construction (Caltrans Highway Bridge Program); $940,000 SFID reimbursement for water facility relocation.

Project scope

• Route: El Camino Real to Via De La Valle (1/2 mile corridor)
• Funding source: California Department of Transportation Highway Bridge Program grant
• Cost breakdown:
  • Engineering design: $183,413 (Caltrans funded)
  • Construction: $41,858,578 (Caltrans funded)
  • City match/other funds: $207,065 from Airport Enterprise Fund (for airport projects); $940,000 Santa Fe Irrigation District reimbursement for SFID water facility relocation
• Match requirements: Caltrans grants require $207,065 combined match

Committee action

Active Transportation and Infrastructure Committee meeting April 23, 2026:

• Motion by Chair Whitburn, second by Committee Member Lee
• Vote 3-0 (von Wilpert absent)

Council action

May 12, 2026: Returned to staff (Subitems A and B not adopted)

May 19, 2026:

Resolutions R-316788 and R-316789 adopted by consent:

• R-316788: Mayor authorized to apply for and secure Highway Bridge Program grant funding ($183,413 engineering, $41,858,578 construction) for El Camino Real to Via De La Valle project
• R-316789: Reimbursement Agreement with Santa Fe Irrigation District for water facility relocation ($940,000)

Motion by Council President LaCava, second by Council President Pro Tem Lee.

Vote 6-0 (all members present except von Wilpert and Elo-Rivera absent; Campbell departed).

Sources

• May 12 Minutes: https://sandiego.hylandcloud.com/211agendaonlinecouncil/Documents/DownloadFile/Tuesday_Agenda%2c_Results_Summary%2c_and_Minutes_6960_Minutes_5_12_2026_10_00_00_AM.pdf?documentType=2&meetingId=6960
• May 19 Minutes: https://sandiego.hylandcloud.com/211agendaonlinecouncil/Documents/DownloadFile/Tuesday_Agenda%2c_Results_Summary%2c_and_Minutes_6998_Minutes_5_19_2026_10_00_00_AM.pdf?documentType=2&meetingId=6998

Log

2026-05-12 - City Council

Resolutions for Highway Bridge Program grant and Santa Fe Irrigation District reimbursement agreement returned to staff for further review.

2026-05-19 - City Council

Resolutions R-316788 and R-316789 adopted. Mayor authorized to apply for Caltrans Highway Bridge Program grant ($183.4k engineering, $41.86M construction). City authorized to enter reimbursement agreement with Santa Fe Irrigation District ($940k) for water facility relocation. Vote 6-0.