33 Years! Mid-City I-805 & SR15 Holiday Bridge Lights
The El Cajon Boulevard Business Improvement Association has overseen the Mid-City holiday bridge lighting project for most of its 30 year history. The seven bridge light program is a joint effort by the Adams Avenue, El Cajon Boulevard, North Park and City Heights Business Improvement Associations. Initiated in 1988 by the Adams Avenue Business Association, the holiday lighting has inspired similar displays in other locations here in San Diego and attracted attention throughout Southern California.
In 2018 the El Cajon Boulevard Transit Plaza over the SR15 freeway was also added to the program. In 2021 the City Heights Plaza Transit on University Avenue over SR15 was added with funding from the City Heights Business Association.
The holiday lighting display has served as a marketing tool for the Mid-City, and for the four business improvement districts and the business communities along Adams Avenue, El Cajon Boulevard, and University Avenue.
Countless inquires have come to the various community based organizations as to the origination of the lighting, providing an opportunity to promote the business aspects and residential living opportunities of this centrally located collection of neighborhoods. Based on CALTRANS traffic counts the lighting display is observed each season by 2 million freeway users and another 1.3 million that traverse the bridges on the surface streets.
We would like to thank all our partners who have helped the project over the years, including the City and County and CalTrans District 11, who continually work with us to keep power on at the bridges.
A holiday light ceremony was held on both the El Cajon Boulevard I-805 and SR-15 bridges. Special guests include Sharon Cooney from MTS, underlining Transportation equality and the importance of multi-modal opportunities; Council President Pro-Tem Stephen Whitburn (D3) and Councilmember Sean Elo-Rivera (D9). Join the community in bringing a message and the spirit of the holidays to Mid-City.
YMCA Executive Director and Boulevard BIA board-member Julian Villegas, Santa Claus and young community members.
City Heights CDC, community members and Councilmember Sean Elo-Rivera.
CBS 8 San Diego broadcasted live from the event.
