Connecting Communities: The Pershing Bikeway Project
In the heart of San Diego, a visionary transformation has unfolded—reshaping streets, bridging neighborhoods, and redefining urban mobility. The Pershing Bikeway, a 2.3-mile Complete Street connecting the vibrant North Park neighborhood to bustling Downtown, now offers cyclists and pedestrians a safer, more accessible route through the historic beauty of Balboa Park. Alta played a central role in turning this ambitious vision into reality, guiding the project from its earliest concept phase in 2015 to completion in 2024.
From the outset, community voices were at the core of this project. Alta spearheaded the initial planning and engaged with local residents and stakeholders to develop a bikeway design that reflected their vision for a safer, more connected corridor. Using visual renderings, community workshops, and alternative route analyses, Alta ensured that the design aligned with both environmental considerations and residents’ needs.
The project wasn’t just about building a bike path—it was about creating a Complete Street that balances safety, functionality, and beauty. The resulting concept integrates multiple layers: it calms traffic, preserves the park’s natural beauty, and promotes alternative transportation options.
With Alta leading traffic engineering and landscape architecture services, the project introduces several innovative elements to enhance safety and sustainability:
- Diagonal Bikeway Crossing: Ensures smooth, direct connections between key routes.
- Roundabout: Improves traffic flow while calming speeds, making intersections safer for cyclists and pedestrians.
- Bio-swales and Native Plantings: Integrate stormwater management with ecological landscaping, adding greenery and improving water runoff quality.
- Street Trees and Landscape Architecture: Promote shade, reduce heat, and create a more enjoyable experience for all who travel the route.
Navigating challenges along the corridor was no small feat. With road speeds exceeding 50 mph and a steep mile-long slope with a 5% grade, the project demanded precision in both engineering and safety planning. Alta’s expertise ensured that the bikeway supports comfortable travel, even on steep inclines, while carefully managing traffic volumes and complex turning patterns at peak times.
Serving as the Engineer and Landscape Architect of Record, Alta prepared detailed plans for striping, signage, signals, and landscapes. From 2022 to 2024, Alta provided critical construction support, ensuring every element—from roundabouts to tree plantings—met the community’s expectations and safety standards.
