THE PROBLEM: Finding your way to hotels along Hotel Circle in San Diego's Mission Valley can be challenging.
There are Hotel Circle exit signs on eastbound and westbound Interstate 8 and southbound state Route 163.
But for those driving northbound on 163 there is no signage indicating that they can take the west 8 exit to reach Hotel Circle.
The omission has bugged John Loomer for years. With so many visitors coming from Lindbergh Field via north 163, Loomer said Caltrans should add a Hotel Circle sign next to the 8 west sign. After all, as soon as drivers make their way around the cloverleaf connector the first thing they see is an exit to Hotel Circle.
“How many thousands and thousands of people have gotten lost?” asked Loomer, who said he has repeatedly suggested that Caltrans add a sign.
STATUS: What Loomer wants is called “around the corner signing” in Caltrans lingo. William Valle, Caltrans deputy director for maintenance and traffic in San Diego, said this signage is avoided unless the transition route has direct access to the road in question.
Going north, the transition to west 8 involves maneuvering through a tight cloverleaf before the exit to Hotel Circle comes into view.
Going south, the transition from south 163 to west 8 and the Hotel Circle exit is a gentle right curve.
Valle said Caltrans occasionally makes exceptions, but only if it receives a lot of complaints. In this case, that has not happened, he said.
WHO'S RESPONSIBLE: William Valle, who can be reached at (619) 688-6709 or william.valle@dot.ca.gov.
General questions or comments for Caltrans should be directed to (619) 688-6670. Requests also can be filed online at dot.ca.gov/dist11. Click on “Contact us” on the home page and scroll down to find an electronic form.
STILL WAITING: The tunnel under Friars Road not far from Qualcomm Stadium in Mission Valley remains padlocked.
The city of San Diego is still working on an agreement with property owners on each side of Friars.
Brian Schoenfisch, a senior planner with the Planning and Community Investment Department, said the matter should go to a City Council committee in mid-October and the full Council after that.
WHO'S RESPONSIBLE: Brian Schoenfisch, who can be reached at (619) 533-6457 orbschoenfisch@sandiego.gov.
NEED A PROBLEM SOLVED: Is there a problem government hasn't fixed despite your complaints? Just Fix It might be able to help.
Complaint forms are at justfixit.uniontrib.com, or call (800) 820-8714.
