Washington Street and Mission Valley Complete Streets

STATUS: In Progress: Construction

Project Overview

The Washington Street and Mission Valley Complete Streets project was previously known as the Washington Street and Mission Valley Bikeway project. We renamed it to more accurately reflect the work that we are doing. This is the third of four segments planned as part of the Uptown Complete Streets project. It includes a 3.3-mile bikeway featuring separated and buffered bike lanes, bus stop enhancements, and traffic calming measures. It also offers improvements for pedestrians such as a new walking path, high visibility crosswalks, curb extensions, and traffic signals.

The project was strategically selected and designed to improve transit and roadway travel and maximize safety for all road users. SANDAG worked with local businesses, residents, schools, and community groups to incorporate feedback on project aesthetics, landscaping, and design features. SANDAG will manage construction, and the City of San Diego will own and operate the bikeway.

In the Washington Street area, we will:

  • Add separated bike facilities and shared bike and car lanes from the Washington Street Trolley Station to University Avenue, connecting the Middletown and Mission Hills neighborhoods
  • Install a walking path along the south side of Washington Street from India Street to University Avenue
  • Build a bus island on the north side of Washington Street near India Street
  • Add separated bike facilities on San Diego Avenue from Washington Street to Pringle Street
  • Add buffered bike lanes on San Diego Avenue from Pringle Street to Noell Street
  • Add shared lane markings along Walnut Avenue between Third Avenue and Fifth Avenue, directly connecting the project to the Fourth & Fifth Avenue Bikeways

In the Mission Valley area, we will:

  • Install shared lane markings and wayfinding signage along Third Avenue from Washington Street to Walnut Avenue, and along Walnut Avenue from Third Avenue to Fifth Avenue, connecting to the Fourth & Fifth Avenue Bikeways
  • Extend shared lane markings with a contra-flow bike lane along Third Avenue from Washington Street to Lewis Street and along Lewis Street from Bachman Place to Third Avenue
  • Add buffered bike lanes along Bachman Place from Lewis Street to Hotel Circle South
  • Install separated bike facilities on Hotel Circle South, Camino De La Reina, and Avenida Del Rio from Bachman Place to Riverwalk Drive, connecting Uptown to Mission Valley and the San Diego River Trail
  • Build a new sidewalk to provide space for an enhanced bus stop at Hotel Circle South and Bachman Place.

Schedule

Preliminary construction activities began in fall 2025.

During the final design phase, SANDAG worked with the community and partners to fine-tune aesthetics and design elements that were practical for the project.

On July 22, 2016, the SANDAG Board of Directors approved the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA) exemption for segments 1 through 4 of the Uptown Complet Streets project. We completed preliminary engineering and environmental clearance in July 2016.

SANDAG worked closely with people who live and work in Uptown neighborhoods, nearby communities, and the City of San Diego to study and refine the project design concepts. During the planning phase, project goals, alignments, and design features were developed and clarified using input from a community advisory group. The group met with SANDAG and other community members about the Uptown Complete Streets project four times at key alignment analysis milestones.

Budget

SANDAG regional bikeway projects are reflected in our annual Program Budget. View the entire budget map to explore all our mappable projects.

Connect with Us

Visit our Bikeways and Complete Streets page for project terminology definitions and to find links to similar projects. For more information, check our News page for updates, subscribe to our email list, or contact gobybike@sandag.org or 833.899.2453 with any questions.

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Project Partners

211 San Diego