Pacific Beach is experiencing enhanced pedestrian and cyclist safety thanks to the Diamond Street Traffic Calming project. This initiative further improves the PB Pathway, contributing to a growing network of multimodal travel enhancements throughout the community.
The Diamond Street project is a “Quick Build” implementation, utilizing easily installed and adaptable materials. This approach allows for modifications in response to any unforeseen issues or necessary adjustments. Crucially, the flexible posts used are designed to ensure access for emergency vehicles, maintaining current response times. To ensure the community is well-informed, reference materials detailing the safe navigation of these new road conditions have been distributed to residents, schools, and religious institutions along Diamond Street. For a visual understanding of how intersections function with these changes, an animated video is available.
This project is focused on creating a safer environment for pedestrians, cyclists, skaters, and scooter users on Diamond Street, specifically between Ingraham Street—home to Pacific Beach Middle School and the Recreation Center—and Mission Boulevard, which leads to the beach, boardwalk, and numerous businesses.
Project Implementation Details
Traffic diverters for vehicles have been strategically placed at two intersections, complemented by additional street signage along the Diamond Street corridor, spanning from Ingraham Street to Mission Boulevard.
The project’s specifics include the installation of flexible posts and directional turn signage at the intersections of Cass and Fanuel Streets.
- These posts are designed with accessibility in mind, featuring pass-throughs for all users, including pedestrian access at curb ramps and dedicated pathways through the middle for cyclists and shared mobility device users.
- Motorists can still make right turns at these intersections. Alternatively, drivers can choose alternate routes from Ingraham Street, such as utilizing Garnet Avenue, or access the area through other residential streets.
Community Benefits of Diamond Street Enhancements
The Diamond Street Traffic Calming project yields several key benefits for Pacific Beach and its residents:
- Supports Vision Zero Goals: By effectively reducing vehicle speeds, the project directly contributes to San Diego’s Vision Zero initiative, aiming to eliminate traffic fatalities and severe injuries for all road users, regardless of age or ability.
- Encourages Sustainable Transportation: The project promotes the use of less polluting transportation modes. By enhancing safety and convenience for walking, cycling, and scooter use, it encourages San Diegans to choose environmentally friendly options.
- Advances Climate Action Plan: This initiative aligns with the City’s Climate Action Plan, specifically Strategy 3, focusing on Mobility and Land Use. It supports the broader city goals for reducing carbon emissions through transportation choices.
- Creates Safe School Routes: The project establishes a safer pathway connecting to Pacific Beach Middle School. This encourages students to bike and walk to and from school, helping to alleviate traffic congestion typically experienced during school hours.
Project Background and Community Input
The Diamond Street traffic calming project builds upon the PB Pathway system, a community-led effort that began in 2015. The initial phase of roadways within the community was marked with decals and signage, funded by Beautiful PB. Diamond Street itself was previously utilized as a “Slow Streets” pilot program during the COVID-19 pandemic, demonstrating the community’s openness to traffic calming measures.
From 2021 to 2023, the City engaged with the community through a series of meetings to gather input on a more permanent phase for Diamond Street Slow Street. City Transportation engineering staff then worked to integrate the successful elements of the COVID-19 Slow Street initiative and community design ideas with necessary federal and state engineering design standards and guidelines.
The Quick Build design was chosen as an effective method to further promote alternative transportation in Pacific Beach, implement strategies to support Vision Zero, and strengthen community connections, building upon the existing PB Pathway framework. Community groups including BeautifulPB, Circulate San Diego, and the San Diego County Bicycle Coalition, along with events like CicloSDias, weekly running clubs, and community demonstration pop-ups, have played a vital role in communicating the advantages of traffic calming and providing platforms for Pacific Beach residents to share their feedback and contribute to these important changes.
