![\"Lizzet](\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-ca\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/08\/LJL-L-TT-GUARDRAIL-01.jpeg\")
Lizzet Fitz shares photos of last year\u2019s Trunk or Treat with La Jolla Traffic & Transportation board meeting attendees on Aug. 18. (Noah Lyons)<\/p>\nWork on La Jolla\u2019s long-anticipated guardrail installation project is technically underway, but construction activities remain months away following the latest delay. Although the project was set to begin construction this summer, under the current schedule, work would begin in the fall.<\/p>\n
The timeline was announced at the Aug. 18 La Jolla Traffic & Transportation meeting and confirmed by city of San Diego spokesperson Tyler Becker.<\/p>\n
The project is being headed by San Diego-based Palm Engineering, and will replace the long-standing K-rail barrier on a section of Torrey Pines Road between Prospect Place and Coast Walk with 350 feet of metal bridge rail. Additional work involves replacing the sidewalk, curb and gutter; relocating utilities; repaving and restriping the impacted section of roadway; and installing signage.<\/p>\n
Becker said Palm Engineering\u2019s contract began Aug. 3 \u2014 meaning the project is considered underway \u2014 but the contractor isn\u2019t expected to begin construction until the fall.<\/p>\n
\u201cThe contractor is preparing the required pre-construction documents for staff to review and approve,\u201d Becker told the La Jolla Light. \u201cOnce everything is approved, the contractor will work on procuring the safety guardrail before mobilizing, which will help minimize impacts to the community.\u201d<\/p>\n
Thus, the project is scheduled to begin sometime in October. Residents in the surrounding area will be informed of construction a few weeks before construction begins, Becker said. At least one week before construction starts, another notice in the form of a door hanger will be delivered to nearby properties.<\/p>\n
\u201cI\u2019ve had mixed feelings about this,\u201d La Jolla T&T Board chairman Eric Gantzel said of the latest timeline. \u201cOf course I would prefer it start and get it over with as soon as possible, but also I\u2019m enjoying the calm before the storm \u2014 if you can call Torrey Pines Road calm.\u201d<\/p>\n
The guardrail project is a long time coming.<\/p>\n
The effort began in January 2018 when a car careened off Torrey Pines Road onto the adjacent hillside, landing in the yard of one of the Coast Walk houses below. Soon after, the concrete K-rail was installed as a temporary protective measure.\u00a0A year later, work began to find a more permanent solution.<\/p>\n
In other T&T news:<\/p>\n
Trunk or Treat: One of La Jolla\u2019s newest Halloween traditions, dubbed Trunk or Treat, is one step closer to coming back this year, following a vote of support from the T&T Board.<\/p>\n
During Trunk or Treat, participants decorate the trunks of their cars and park them in a row to offer candy to children as an alternative to the traditional door-to-door trick-or-treat experience. Last year, there were 32 cars.<\/p>\n
This year\u2019s event would close Draper Avenue from Kline to Prospect Streets from 3-8 p.m. Wednesday, Oct. 28.<\/p>\n
Lizzet Fitz shares photos of last year\u2019s Trunk or Treat with La Jolla Traffic & Transportation board meeting attendees on Aug. 18. (Noah Lyons)<\/p>\n
The T&T board offered a unanimous vote in support of the event.<\/p>\n
Officer elections: The board also held its annual election during its August meeting, at which Gantzel and Dave Abrams were voted to continue as chairman and vice chairman respectively. Fatmeh Muhareb will serve as the group\u2019s secretary, replacing John Bauer.<\/p>\n
The new board was approved by a unanimous vote.<\/p>\n