Dear Editor:
Recently, I have received several inquiries regarding the paving of downtown Alpine. I would like to take a moment to clarify a few issues regarding the paving of Alpine Boulevard.
Before construction of the Sunrise Powerlink project commenced, SDG&E committed to the Community of Alpine to leave Alpine Boulevard in better condition than it was prior to the commencement of construction activities. I believe SDG&E has upheld this commitment.
Dear Editor:
Recently, I have received several inquiries regarding the paving of downtown Alpine. I would like to take a moment to clarify a few issues regarding the paving of Alpine Boulevard.
Before construction of the Sunrise Powerlink project commenced, SDG&E committed to the Community of Alpine to leave Alpine Boulevard in better condition than it was prior to the commencement of construction activities. I believe SDG&E has upheld this commitment.
In working with the County of San Diego, the Alpine Community Planning Group and the community, and after months of dialogue, SDG&E agreed to construct Phase I of the Alpine Streetscape Improvement Plan in conjunction with construction of the Sunrise Powerlink project.
This plan called for the addition of curbs, sidewalks and gutters throughout many portions of the downtown area of Alpine, as well as rubberized asphalt for the entire length of the 6.2 miles of underground construction activities. Today, with the exception of rubberized asphalting of downtown, the Phase I of the Alpine Streetscape Improvement Plan is complete.
At the request of the County, the Alpine Community Planning Group voted to support the County’s proposed Phase II Alpine Boulevard Streetscape Improvement Plan. This plan involves the County expediting storm drain design and placing storm drains along Alpine Boulevard. As a result, the County requested that SDG&E postpone rubberized asphalt paving in downtown Alpine until it can complete its storm drain work. In keeping with our commitment, SDG&E paid the County to conduct the rubberized asphalt work through downtown once this County storm drain project has been completed. Unfortunately, the community will now have to wait until the County project is completed to see a finished and fully rubberized asphalted Alpine Boulevard.
The County’s storm drain work was never a part of Phase I of the Alpine Streetscape Improvement Plan. In fact, the County brought this issue to SDG&E’s attention when the Phase I work was almost 75% complete. Due to the timing of the County’s request to have SDG&E conduct this work, additional environmental considerations and in keeping with Sunrise Powerlink project deadlines and previous commitments made to the community, SDG&E declined to undertake this County infrastructure project.
Please do not hesitate to contact me should you have any additional questions.
Sincerely, Todd Voorhees Public Affairs Manager SDG&E tvoorhees@semprautilties.com
