San Diego to Survey 5,000 Miles of Sidewalk for Cracks

Plans are being made to conduct a citywide assessment of the condition of San Diego's sidewalks in the fiscal year that begins July 1, according to a report delivered Monday morning to the City Council's Infrastructure Committee.

The $900,000 needed for the survey of about 5,000 miles of sidewalks could be incorporated into the spending plan for the fiscal year, according to the report from the city's Independent Budget Analyst.

The city would hire two junior engineers and at least 14 college students who would stroll sidewalks looking for cracks and buckles, and also note places that don't have sidewalks but could use them.

The study could take about three to five months to get off the ground and one year to complete, according to the city's Streets Division.

The city recently studied the condition of its roadways and storm drains, and is embarking on an assessment of buildings and other facilities. The Infrastructure Committee will use the surveys as it develops a five-year plan to address a capital maintenance and construction backlog estimated at more than $900 million.

The IBA report was only for the committee members' information, so no action was taken.

—City News Service