After two years of road closures and construction, the Citracado Parkway extension through the east end of Harmony Grove in Escondido was completed at the end of August.
Escondido city officials held a ribbon-cutting for the $23.8 million project on Aug. 21.
A new bridge over Escondido Creek extends Citracado Parkway from Andreasen Drive to Harmony Grove Village Parkway.
“This project represents a major step forward in enhancing safety, connectivity, and overall quality of life for Escondido,” the city stated in an Aug. 22 project update. “By improving traffic flow and reducing congestion, it is now easier for our community members to get to work, school, and essential services.”
City officials also said that the extension will benefit emergency responders in improving emergency response times.
Harmony Grove Road at Kauana Loa Drive between Pacific Oaks Place and Harmony Grove Road had been closed since mid-2022 to make way for the project.
The city involved local Native American tribes, the Kumeyaay and Luiseño, in the project to oversee protection and relocation of culturally significant items and human remains, according to the project’s environmental impact report.
“The City thanks the local Native American tribes for their assistance, contributions, patience, and understanding during construction,” city officials stated in its project update. “Specifically, the participation of Kumeyaay and Luiseño tribal representatives in this project since 2012, and in particular, Mr. Clint Linton of Red Tail Environmental Services representing the Kumeyaay and Cami Mojado of Saving Sacred Sites representing the Luiseño.”
Funding for the project came from a combination of local, state and federal sources, including Palomar Health and TransNet, according to the city. Kleinfelder Construction Services managed construction and public relations in partnership with main project consultant TY LIN International.