A highly-anticipated pedestrian underpass in Encinitas officially opened to the public Wednesday afternoon.
The new pedestrian crossing near the train tracks off South Coast Highway 101 near Santa Fe Drive is designed to provide safer and easier access to Swami’s Beach, representatives from SANDAG said.
The $5.9 million project is the first of four grade-separated crossings planned in the City of Encinitas. SANDAG says the crossings should help improve safety and coastal access along the Los Angeles-San Diego-San Luis Obispo (LOSSAN) rail corridor.
Funding and planning for the project was coordinated by SANDAG, with the City of Encinitas and Caltrans also providing funding for the project.
On Wednesday, a special ribbon-cutting ceremony was held to celebrate the opening of the underpass. Local dignitaries – including Encinitas Mayor Teresa Arballo Barth and SANDAG Chair Jack Dale – gathered on South Coast Highway 101 to officially open the underpass to the public.
“This new rail bridge and pedestrian undercrossing provide a convenient and safe way for pedestrians and cyclists to get from one side of the railroad to the other to access coastal recreational areas, cultural resources, historic Downtown Encinitas and our beautiful Coast Highway 101 corridor,” Mayor Barth said at the ceremony.
For information about the new pedestrian crossings in Encinitas, click here.
Photo Credit: Getty Images