Traffic Tangled : Downtown Streets Set for Red Tile Face Lift

Much to the disgust of downtown commuters, lanes of a number of downtown streets will be closed for the next few months so construction crews can replace asphalt with decorative red tiles.

Two lanes of Broadway--one in each direction --between 3rd and 4th avenues will remain closed at least until August, said Kathy Kalland, a spokeswoman for the Centre City Development Corp., which is overseeing the project.

The $1-million project, which is being funded by the City of San Diego, will include crosswalks made out of the brick-like tiles at the corners of 2nd Avenue and Broadway and 3rd Avenue and Broadway, as well as tiles for the entire block of Broadway facing Horton Plaza park, between 3rd and 4th avenues. The blocks of 2nd and 3rd avenues that run into the plaza will be entirely paved in the red tiles. A proposal to rename the approach to the plaza Broadway Circle will be brought before City Council after completion of the project.

The CCDC undertook the project as part of a plan by the city to enhance the appearance of downtown and Horton Plaza, Kalland said.

“We want to announce to people driving down Broadway that they’re approaching something special,” said Kalland.

Other streets involved include the 900 block of 2nd Avenue, the 200 block of E Street and the 900 block of 3rd Avenue. Only one lane of traffic will be blocked on those streets.

City buses will maintain bus stops at Broadway and 2nd and 6th avenues, Kalland said.

Traffic is expected to be slow on Broadway and other downtown streets where the construction is taking place.