Santa Fe west vicnity map
Santa Fe West Press Conference check delivery photo
Santa Fe West driveway construction
Santa Fe West Construction sidewalks
Photo of new protected bike paths
Photo of new bike paths and mid-block crosswalk
Photo of new Mid-Block Crosswalk and Crossbike with flashing beacons
Photo of new asphalt bike path adjacent to the new mid-block crosswalk
Photo of new asphalt bike patch on north side of Santa Fe Drive facing west
Photo of new asphalt bike path with stencils on north side of Santa Fe Drive facing east

Updated:  11.06.25

PROJECT STATUS

The city's contractor mobilized for construction on December 12, 2023 and officially broke ground on January 22, 2024. The project reached interim completion in April 2025, with construction of sitewide landscaping, a rapid rectangular flashing beacon (RRFB) mid-block crossing, separated bike lanes, and continuous sidewalks on both sides of the corridor. 

At the December 18, 2024 City Council meeting, Council directed staff to defer the construction of the protected intersections and signalized crossing at SDA to a future phase of the Santa Fe Project, pending initial monitoring and study of the western phase improvements.

Council accepted the Notice of Completion for the Interim Project Improvements in May 2025 and provided initial direction to staff to address necessary immediate modifications to the project.  

On November 5, 2025, Council held a special meeting to providing direction on the design revision options for completion of the Santa Fe Drive Western Phase project (CS19E).  At the meeting, council directed staff to continue final design and implementation of the deferred intersection improvements at Bonita /Windsor and Nardo/Mackinnon, as well as prepare design modifications presented in Option B, which includes parallel parking with buffered bike lanes, and 11' travel lanes.  Staff is working to prepare plans for the revised design and will return to Council at a future meeting for presentation and approval. 

ABOUT THE PROJECT

The focus of this project is on connection to schools and is intended to improve mobility for pedestrians, bicyclists, and vehicular traffic, while also improving safety and connectivity.  Improvements to date include the construction of new bike ways (separated where possible), new sidewalks, and the addition of an RRFB pedestrian crossing near San Dieguito Academy (SDA) High School. The project constructed also includes new curb, gutter, AC berm and driveways with drainage elements at Bonita Drive to improve runoff capture and conveyance, as well as new bioretention cells to improve water quality.

SEPARATED BIKE LANE VARIATIONS

The design of the bike facilities along this corridor was shaped significantly by site conditions and construction costs.  Ideally, bike lanes would be elevated or include a planter curb for added safety.  However, existing site constraints and estimated construction budgets made a uniform-style bike path along the entire corridor infeasible.  As a result, the design team developed a range of separated bike lane variations tailored to each segment.  

On the east end of the corridor, where there are existing homes, right-of-way and grading constraints prevented the inclusion of an elevated bike path or sidewalk; therefore, bollard-protected bike lanes were implemented for bicyclist safety.  Also, on the south side near the school, creating an elevated path would require extensive demolition and reconstruction, impacting both cost and feasibility.  Here, a planter-protected bike facility at street level proved to be the most viable option.  Given these considerations, the design team applied various protection methods to the bike lanes, balancing constructability, cost, and safety.

 Map key and elevations showing various protected bike lane types by segment

PROJECT BENEFITS & AMENITIES

  • Improved mobility and safety throughout the entire corridor, including access to schools, through new bikeways, sidewalks and intersection improvements.

  • Added storm water management measures through new landscaping and trees.

  • Separated bikeways where possible, buffered bike lanes in other locations. 

  • Reverse-angle street parking for improved safety and increased parking capacity.

  • Upgraded North County Transit District (NCTD) bus stops for east and west travel on Santa Fe Drive. 

Construction of the following elements have been deferred to a future phase:  

  • Signalized crossing near San Dieguito Academy High School. 

  • Protected intersection at Mackinnon Avenue and Nardo Road.

  • Protected intersection at Windsor Road and Bonita Drive.
Past Actions