Down by del Rio

For weeks, the right-hand lane of the private Avenida del Rio leading from Camino de la Reina into the back entrance to garages and shops at Fashion Valley Mall has been closed…for good reason.

The edge of the pavement at mid-point of the half-block long street is sinking into the San Diego River bed (no water at present). Drivers turning sharply right off Camino de la Reina find themselves compelled to merge into one lane.

Robert Doherty, manager of the mall for Simon Property Group, said there is no indication that the road situation has hindered business. He added that “We are looking at how best to repair the street, but there is no timetable for doing what has to be done as yet."

Since Avenida del Rio is a private road, responsibility for reconstruction does not impact the City of San Diego. As Doherty explained, it is the mall's responsibility.

Robert Kloth, a supervisor in the Street Division of the city's Public Works Department, did take a look at the "bridge" over the San Diego River and allowed that it is near "collapse." He wouldn't be driving it, he said. Flooding over the years has caused major damage to the structure; it is always closed off during big storms.