With more than a year of construction completed, the extension of the Mid-Coast Trolley to University City started a new phase this week as crews moved from construction along the sidewalks of Genesee Avenue into the median of the major arterial road. Thursday, the San Diego Association of Governments began construction on the columns that will support the Trolley’s viaduct, a bridge structure that will carry the light rail Trolley down the middle and 35 feet above Genesee Avenue.

“This is a significant step for the $1.8 billion project,” said John Haggerty, Director of Rail for SANDAG. “People will really start to see the Trolley take shape as the columns start to line the roadway.”

Residents and employees in University City will see substantial progress on the columns over the next several weeks. First, a drill rig will create holes, immediately followed by cranes inserting steel cages into the holes and concrete being poured to form the columns’ foundation. The construction of the columns will follow with the placement of reinforcing steel forms, and filling of the forms with concrete. Construction of the columns will start just north of La Jolla Village Drive and move north up to Regents Road. The final phase of column construction for the Genesee viaduct will start at Nobel Drive and proceed north to La Jolla Village Drive.

In early January, crews shifted traffic to the outer lanes (closer to the sidewalk) on Genesee Avenue from Regents Road to Nobel Drive to accommodate construction in the middle of the road. Concreate barriers provide a safe work space for construction crews and equipment. In the future, sections of Genesee will have full weekend closures to allow for pre-cast structures to be installed on top of the columns for the viaduct.

Traffic control signs, including necessary detours for motorists, pedestrians, and bicyclists, are posted to direct traffic during this phase of construction. It is anticipated that these traffic controls will be in place at various times through early 2020.

“This project is important for our region’s mobility, and we appreciate the public’s patience with construction,” said Haggerty. “When it’s finished, residents, students, and employees in University City and at UC San Diego will have an exciting new option for getting around without a car.”

To learn more about the project, visit: KeepSanDiegoMoving.com/MidCoast