Project Info
The El Portal Pedestrian Undercrossing, called the “Crown Jewel of Pedestrian Undercrossings” by the Encinitas Advocate, revitalizes the Coast Highway 101 and enhances the pedestrian experience of Encinitas. Before the undercrossing, the railway created 2.5-miles of separation between the City’s primary residential/commercial corridor and the coastline with no safe and legal means of crossing. Residents living west of the railway were cut off from the City’s primary commercial and retail districts, and residents living east of the railway lost a vital connection to the coastline. The El Portal Pedestrian Undercrossing reestablishes the connectivity of Encinitas, allowing safe and accessible egress for city residents. The project prioritized pedestrian-approach enhancements and landscape beautification, while also addressing the undercrossing’s infrastructural and environmental impact, relocating utilities as necessary and introducing stormwater basins to filter runoff and contribute to the environmental health of the cityscape.
The project’s design theme is “Windows to the Past,” and each element included pays homage to the site’s ecology and history. Retaining walls protecting the pathway are designed to mimic the texture of wood reminiscent of that used within the historic train station, and decorative art tile mosaics woven into the site include images and words telling the story of Encinitas’ past. A monument constructed of stacked stone with mosaic art tile merge the coast and inland with beautiful sea blues and natural stone. Drought-tolerant plantings used throughout ensure the site remains beautiful year round and for generations to come.