Caltrans Follows Up with Planned Pedestrian and Bicycle Safety Updates
On March 16, 2024, Circulate San Diego partnered with RideSD to conduct a pedestrian audit between Clairemont Drive Station and Mission Bay Park. Participants identified several safety concerns along the Interstate 5 overcrossing, including missing curb ramps, faded crosswalks, narrow sidewalks, and unprotected bicycle lanes. The observations were shared with Caltrans through a service request and were supported by a reel created by RideSD documenting the audit experience. Caltrans conducted a safety investigation and announced plans to improve the pedestrian and biking experience in the area.
Caltrans completed a construction project in May 2025 which made targeted improvements to pavement markings and signage at the southbound I-5 entrance ramp from westbound Clairemont Drive and the northbound I-5 entrance from Clairemont Drive. The work included new high-visibility crosswalks, updated yield and stop pavement markings, new pedestrian warning signs, and “Yield to Pedestrian” regulatory signs. In addition, Caltrans installed new Accessible Pedestrian Signals (APS) and pedestrian signal heads at the entrance and exit ramps with northbound I-5.
Additionally, Caltrans confirmed it will pursue several larger upgrades along the Clairemont Drive overcrossing to further enhance pedestrian and bicycle safety. These changes will make it safer and more comfortable for people walking, rolling, and biking to access Mission Bay Park from the Blue Line Trolley.
According to Caltrans, the project proposes the following:
- Rehabilitation of the Clairemont Drive overcrossing bridge deck
- Upgrade of the existing bridge rail to include a chain-link fence
- Replacement of existing sidewalks with new 6 to 8 foot wide sidewalks
- Installation of buffer separated bikeways
- Replacement or relocation of existing curb ramps and detectable warning surfaces
- Installation of enhanced high-visibility crosswalks, lighting, green bikeway paint, and bicyclist/pedestrian warning signs
- Installation of radar detection for bicyclists
- Realignment of the southbound ramps to intersect Clairemont Drive perpendicularly or at a near 90-degree angle
- Replacement of the existing signal and lighting system at Clairemont Drive and northbound ramp
The project is currently in the design phase and is scheduled to begin construction in Spring 2027. Though construction won’t begin until 2027, Caltrans’ commitment marks a step toward safer and more accessible connections across the Clairemont Drive overcrossing.
The audit revealed how difficult and unsafe the route currently is for people with disabilities. Steep and obstructed sidewalks and missing curb ramps make the overcrossing particularly challenging for wheelchair users and others with mobility challenges. The planned upgrades from Caltrans will make a significant difference by improving ADA accessibility and addressing first-mile and last-mile gaps between the trolley station and Mission Bay.
Momentum for these changes grew after RideSD’s short video on the audit went viral on social media in April 2024. The reel, which received thousands of views, brought public attention to the real challenges pedestrians and cyclists face along Clairemont Drive. This visibility helped prompt action and foster stronger collaboration between Caltrans and local advocates. Circulate San Diego will continue to follow up with updates as improvements move forward to ensure safer, more accessible connections between Clairemont Drive Station and Mission Bay Park.
Watch the RideSD Reel here!
