Kudos to City For Installing No U-Turn Sign at Jackson & El Paso

To the editor:

I am happy to tell you that a no U-Turn sign went up on the corner of Jackson and El Paso last week.  Why am I so excited?  Because I have been working with the LM Public Works to put in that sign since December. 

It is at the corner of Murray Manor Elementary.  The city did construction on that intersection about 3 years ago, bumping out the corners for better pedestrian visibility, which ultimately narrowed the street.

While this created better safety in one sense, it created a hazard in another. The average car can no longer make a U-Turn at the intersection.  Cars have to either three-point turn or drive onto the curb. This was creating a safety hazard, particularly during the school morning rush hour. 

My primary concern will always be the families walking to school, and I wanted to help create a safer environment. 

The sign is timed to school pick-up and drop-off hours only, so as not to create an extra commute for the homeowners on Jackson that have a median preventing them from exiting their homes in a southern direction.

One of the things that pleased me most about this process, and about living in La Mesa as a whole, was the cooperation of our city officials.  A special thank you to the following people that were so great to listen to my concerns and act upon them:

• Gregory P. Humora, Director of Public Works/City Engineer
• Councilman Ernest Ewin
• Police Chief Ed Aceves

Warmest Regards,

Jennifer Knox Watson
La Mesa