San Diego Continues to Widen Roads Despite Pledge to Reduce Car Dependence

Transit advocates say that outdated road widening plans contradict the city's Climate Action Plan.

1 minute read

September 14, 2021, 8:00 AM PDT

By Diana Ionescu @aworkoffiction


San Diego Trolley

Pazut Wutigornsombatkul / Shutterstock

Despite the city's stated commitment "to cut back on car dependence by making streets safer and more oriented towards pedestrians, cyclists, and public transit" San Diego continues to widen roads based on outdated plans, reports Andrew Bowen

One of the city's deadliest streets, El Cajon Boulevard, is slated to receive a new right-turn lane that would also shrink the footprint of the adjacent Fair@44 pedestrian plaza. Meanwhile, the permit for a trolley extension on Morena Boulevard required the re-widening of the street, creating dangerous conditions for pedestrians trying to reach the trolley station. Pedestrian and transit advocates say these and similar projects go against the city's 2015 Climate Action Plan, "which legally binds the city to cut back on driving by prioritizing less polluting modes of transportation." 

"A lot of cities, including San Diego, haven't caught up to the value statements that their elected officials have signed onto," says Colin Parent, executive director of the nonprofit think tank Circulate San Diego. "Parent added that the city had to find a balance between redoing its old plans while not letting that work delay important projects like the trolley extension through Bay Park or the affordable housing project on El Cajon Boulevard."

Tuesday, September 7, 2021 in KPBS

portrait of professional woman

I love the variety of courses, many practical, and all richly illustrated. They have inspired many ideas that I've applied in practice, and in my own teaching. Mary G., Urban Planner

I love the variety of courses, many practical, and all richly illustrated. They have inspired many ideas that I've applied in practice, and in my own teaching.

Mary G., Urban Planner

Cover CM Credits, Earn Certificates, Push Your Career Forward

Aerial view of town of Wailuku in Maui, Hawaii with mountains in background against cloudy sunset sky.

Maui's Vacation Rental Debate Turns Ugly

Verbal attacks, misinformation campaigns and fistfights plague a high-stakes debate to convert thousands of vacation rentals into long-term housing.

July 1, 2025 - Honolulu Civil Beat

Logo for Planetizen Federal Action Tracker with black and white image of U.S. Capitol with water ripple overlay.

Planetizen Federal Action Tracker

A weekly monitor of how Trump’s orders and actions are impacting planners and planning in America.

July 9, 2025 - Diana Ionescu

Map of Haussmann's redesign of Paris in the 1850s through 1870s under Napoleon III.

In Urban Planning, AI Prompting Could be the New Design Thinking

Creativity has long been key to great urban design. What if we see AI as our new creative partner?

June 30, 2025 - Tom Sanchez

View of dense apartment buildings on Seattle waterfront with high-rise buildings in background.

King County Supportive Housing Program Offers Hope for Unhoused Residents

The county is taking a ‘Housing First’ approach that prioritizes getting people into housing, then offering wraparound supportive services.

July 11 - Real Change

Aerial view of suburban housing near Las Vegas, Nevada.

Researchers Use AI to Get Clearer Picture of US Housing

Analysts are using artificial intelligence to supercharge their research by allowing them to comb through data faster. Though these AI tools can be error prone, they save time and housing researchers are optimistic about the future.

July 11 - Shelterforce Magazine

Green bike share bikes parked in a row on a commercial street with outdoor dining and greenery.

Making Shared Micromobility More Inclusive

Cities and shared mobility system operators can do more to include people with disabilities in planning and operations, per a new report.

July 11 - Cities Today