Residents on and near Via Capri in La Jolla’s Hidden Valley neighborhood have been rattled lately by street work involving hours of loud construction each day — with no immediate end in sight.
Purushotham Kotha, who lives in the area and is a cardiologist at Sharp Grossmont Hospital, said the noise and other impacts from the construction last from 7 in the morning until about 4:30 in the afternoon.
The project is part of a multi-step effort by the city of San Diego to replace sewer, water and other lines along Via Capri, Senn Way and surrounding streets.
“The dust and dirt flying around the whole day is causing eye problems and breathing problems,” he told the La Jolla Light. “We cannot dare to step out of the house unless we are in a car with closed windows. Oil spills from all this heavy equipment is an environmental hazard.”
He added that his children are “scared” and that some neighbors “feel something is falling on our head” from the noise.
What’s worse is that the construction is taking longer than expected, Kotha said.
Areas of La Jolla’s Hidden Valley neighborhood are closed to through traffic to accommodate ongoing construction. (Ashley Mackin-Solomon)
The city is aware of the concerns, spokesman Tyler Becker said.
“The contractor is required to make every effort to reduce noise and dust as a result of construction,” he said. “City staff managing the project are closely monitoring the contractor and ensuring they follow city standards.”
In 2021, San Diego Gas & Electric began its TL673 La Jolla Underground Cable System Replacement Project to replace about three miles of power lines between the Rose Canyon substation near Gilman Court and the top of Mount Soledad by way of Via Capri and connect to an existing package of lines down Nautilus Street to a substation at Eads Avenue and Pearl Street.
With that project completed, the city began the current one, called La Jolla Improv 1 (W), last year.
As part of the work, Becker said, “construction crews have already replaced the 16-inch water main from Via Avola to Senn Way and we expect to connect the new main extending to Via Capri [in coming weeks]. Once the new main is fully installed, water services will be transferred to the new main and the water highline will be removed. After that, curb ramps will be installed and the streets will be resurfaced and restriped.”
All that work is expected to be completed by February, he said.
However, soon after, a third project will begin. That one, dubbed La Jolla Improv 3, is still in the design phase and is expected to start in the summer for nine months of construction.
It will replace about 4,050 linear feet of water mains, abandon approximately 2,500 linear feet of water mains and add several fire hydrants. It also will include a new pressure reduction station, curb ramps and a street overlay. ♦