Reasons for petition campaign against San Vicente Road project

By Perry Jones

This is in response to the Letter to the Editor in the Ramona Sentinel of Dec. 27 by Mike and Debbie Cannone and others who may have some questions regarding the San Diego Country Estates Association Board’s Petition Campaign to stop the relocation and straightening of San Vicente Road between Warnock and Wildcat Canyon roads.

I can well understand that with the first thoughts, some would consider the straightening of San Vicente to be a big safety improvement. The SDCEA Board members are likewise concerned with the accidents that have taken place on this road over the years. But we also know that there have been many serious accidents on San Vicente Road where it is divided and with four lanes. In this four-lane area every day many drivers are going 70 to 80+ mph and that is in a 45 mph zone.

In SDCE we have many law enforcement officers both active and retired who live here. All of those who have talked to us are against the road relocation and feel that many drivers will drive even faster on a straightened road and therefore make it less safe (for the three reasons stated below).

We feel that the following items are major considerations:

• The proposed new road would still have just two lanes and the same speed limit of 50 mph, but adding a bike path and horse trail.

• The road would not eliminate the major causes of accidents: excessive speed, driving under the influence, and inexperienced drivers

• Being a straighter road, it would encourage many drivers to drive even faster

• Horseback riders would not ride on a trail a few feet from 50+ mph traffic

• The construction cost will be $40 million for the project ($10 million per mile)

• An additional cost of about $5,182,000+ will be needed to move a Ramona Municipal Water District water pipe, which will be paid for by the RMWD water ratepayers (this means YOU)

• The current rural natural tree lined road is enjoyed by many

• The project would require the removal of 145 old native California Live Oaks and Engelmann Oak trees

• The construction is scheduled to begin in 2013 and will last over two years which will cause many delays and increase commute times for everyone leaving or returning to SDCE

• During the two-year construction period, should an evacuation or other emergency take place, traffic on San Vicente Road, at times, would be limited to one lane for both directions

•A bike lane could be added to the current road

The SDCE Management and Board have elected to oppose the proposed project of relocating and straightening of San Vicente Road and have therefore started the petition to stop this project. So far the response to this petition has been overwhelming having received several hundred signatures in support and having heard from only three who disagree.

We encourage all SDCE residents, who agree, to sign the petition so that we will have as many signatures as possible to present to Dianne Jacob, county supervisor, when we meet with her later this month.

Should you have any questions regarding, or need additional copies of this petition, please call 1-760-789-3260 for a recorded message and the number to leave a message.

Perry Jones serves as treasurer on the SDCEA Board of Directors.