One year after entering into a delegated maintenance agreement with the California Department of Transportation (Caltrans), the City of San Diego is renewing and expanding the partnership to continue addressing unsafe encampments along freeway corridors near downtown while connecting people experiencing homelessness to shelter, housing and services.

Because Caltrans owns and maintains the freeway corridors, the delegated maintenance agreement provides the City necessary access to State property to address encampments. 

“Keeping our freeway corridors safe and clean while helping people move off the streets and into shelter is a top priority for my administration,” said San Diego Mayor Todd Gloria. “I’m grateful to Governor Newsom for his support and to our partners at Caltrans for renewing this agreement so we can continue this important work together, build on the progress we’ve made, connect more people experiencing homelessness with shelter and services, and deliver safer, cleaner freeway corridors for everyone who lives, works, and travels through San Diego.”

The renewed agreement allows the City to continue removing trash and debris along a five-mile stretch of Caltrans right-of-way areas near Downtown. The agreement also expands the City's maintenance authority to include litter removal, weed abatement and graffiti removal, allowing crews to address multiple maintenance needs during a single deployment rather than requiring separate responses. During the first year of the agreement, City crews removed more than 413 tons of waste in this area.

City-funded homeless outreach teams will also continue to have access to the right-of-way areas to provide shelter referrals and ongoing case management. Outreach services are conducted prior to and completely separate from cleanup efforts. Since the original agreement took effect last year, 115 people have entered City-funded shelter programs, including at least 19 who have since moved into permanent housing.

“Caltrans is pleased to continue this successful collaboration with the city of San Diego,” said Caltrans District 11 Director Ann Fox. “It is simply not safe for people to live within our state right of way. The partnerships Caltrans has with the city of San Diego, and other cities throughout San Diego County, are invaluable in the work Caltrans does every day to address encampments.”

The City is also committing financial resources through this partnership, creating a team dedicated to removing debris in this area. The total estimated cost for the City, including San Diego Police Department staff working time, is estimated at $800,000. Under the agreement, Caltrans will reimburse the City for services related to the agreement.

The City’s Environmental Services Department will continue its contract with nonprofit Urban Corps for waste removal and Clean Harbors is contracted to remove hazardous waste materials. The City’s Homelessness Strategies and Solutions Department currently works with Downtown San Diego Partnership to provide outreach in this area.

What Others Are Saying:

"This partnership has connected more than 100 people experiencing homelessness with shelter and supportive services, helping many break the cycle of homelessness while making a meaningful difference in Downtown San Diego”, said Councilmember Stephen Whitburn, who represents the area. “These results show that when the City, service providers, and community partners work together, we can reduce street homelessness and create cleaner, safer neighborhoods for everyone."

“Encampments along our freeways and under overpasses pose a serious hazard to individuals staying there and to the thousands of San Diego residents and visitors driving along these routes,” said Environmental Services Deputy Director Franklin Coopersmith. “Routinely removing trash and potential hazards along these high-traffic freeways is a net-positive for everyone.”

"The partnership between the City of San Diego and Caltrans has been a tremendous asset to Downtown, and the renewal of the delegated maintenance agreement reflects the success of that collaboration. Together, we've created cleaner, safer, and more welcoming gateways through enhanced maintenance, community cleanups, and outreach that connects people experiencing homelessness with available services,” said Betsy Brennan, President and CEO of the Downtown San Diego Partnership. “This collaborative effort has also made it possible for the Downtown San Diego Partnership to launch our first-ever Adopt-A-Highway program, allowing us to help care for some of the first spaces people experience when they enter Downtown. We look forward to continuing this important work together.” 

“The success of downtown San Diego is a shared responsibility, and meaningful improvements happen when partners remain committed for the long term. Extending this agreement allows critical work to continue and builds on the progress already made in some of the city's most visible corridors, including Petco Park and the Ballpark District,” said the San Diego Padres. “The Padres are encouraged by the continued cooperation between the City and Caltrans and support efforts that contribute to a cleaner, safer, and more vibrant downtown for all.”

The partnership with Caltrans covers the following spans of state property:

·        Interstate 5 from the Coronado Bridge to Laurel Street (3.5 miles)

·        State Route 163 from Ash Street to Interstate 5 (0.4 miles)

·        State Route 94 from 17th Street to 30th Street (1.1 miles)