The never-ending fix to Hazard Center Drive

Hazard Center Drive in Mission Valley East is probably the shortest road incurring the longest completion of any in San Diego. It is approximately three blocks long and runs from the west end of the San Diego River spillway under Highway 163 to Mission Center Road at the east where it first intersects with Frazee Road.

The original construction of Hazard Center Drive took place in the early nineties, and by the mid-nineties over a hundred Union Square condominiums were developed on the south side, between the San Diego River and Hazard Center Drive. When these condos were released for sale, owners had to sign a waver that they were aware that Hazard Center Drive would be extended all the way to the rear of Fashion Valley.

The Mission Valley Development plan earmarked this street extension more than 25 years ago. Move forward to 2017, when the extension to Hazard Center Drive began. Workers began digging deeper into the ground than the San Diego River high line so that the road could go below the 163 freeway to the west side Fashion Valley.

The extension started at the Doubletree Hotel on the east side. Under the freeway, two lanes, cement lined about fifteen feet high were added one for each direction. During the rainy season of 2018, this area filled with water from the rain and overflow from the river about 100 yards away.

This flooding issue made any crossing impossible; it is obvious that the contractors, even though they have factored in proper drainage and pumping assistance, foresaw the flooding problem because they made provisions for locking gates to be placed at both ends of the new extension to the drive.

At the east end, they have fashioned a roundabout in front of the gates so drivers will have an easy turn-around when they realize that the road is closed. I am told that the road will be opened as soon as the final touches to the new asphalt has been applied to the east and west entrances. During this same time, there has been ongoing construction on Friars Road where a major realignment east from 163, plus on- and off-ramps to the area have been changed. It should be completed in the next year or two.