SANDAG Breaks Ground on Imperial Avenue Bikeway

The San Diego Association of Governments (SANDAG) was joined by local leaders and bike advocates recently to celebrate the groundbreaking of Imperial Avenue Bikeway. The 3.5-mile bikeway project will help create safer streets for people who walk, bike, drive, and take public transit through Southeastern San Diego.

“The groundbreaking of the Imperial Avenue Bikeway is a commitment to creating safer streets and increasing equitable mobility for our community,” said SANDAG and San Diego County Board of Supervisors Chairwoman Nora Vargas.” Many people use Imperial Avenue for everyday transportation and giving them a more convenient travel option is going to positively transform their connections across the region.”

The Imperial Avenue Bikeway will run along Imperial Avenue from 17^th Street to 47^th Street and, once completed, will connect to the regional bike network. It will feature separated and buffered bike lanes, high-visibility crosswalks, curb extensions, shared lane markings, and other street improvements that facilitate connectivity for all road users.

The approximately $25 million project is funded by a combination of state and local funds, including TransNet, the regional half-cent sales tax for transportation administered by SANDAG, and a grant from the state’s Active Transportation Program.

In addition, a portion of the bikeway was funded through an Affordable Housing & Sustainable Communities grant awarded to Community HousingWorks. This grant helped build more than 70 affordable housing units and enhanced infrastructure in underinvested neighborhoods, providing active transportation options while preserving the communities’ unique historic characters.

The Imperial Avenue Bikeway is anticipated to open to the public in 2026.