San Diego Agencies Aim to Reconnect Communities Divided by Freeways

Workshops assess how to correct harmful infrastructure in historically underserved areas.

Apr. 10, 2026 at 1:19am

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A cinematic painting of a solitary freeway overpass or on-ramp in warm, golden light, with a small group of people gathered underneath, capturing the quiet contemplation and community spirit of efforts to reconnect neighborhoods divided by harmful infrastructure.Residents gather under a freeway overpass to envision a more connected future for their divided community.San Diego Today

The federal government's construction of the interstate highway system decades ago intentionally built through Black and brown communities, taking homes via eminent domain and exposing residents to higher levels of air pollution and unsafe pedestrian routes. Now, San Diego regional agencies are hosting workshops to explore projects related to transportation, housing, green spaces, and more that could help reconnect these divided communities.

Why it matters

Scholars and former Transportation Secretary Pete Buttigieg have described the practice of building freeways through minority communities as racist. These workshops are part of an effort to correct the harmful impacts of this historical infrastructure and empower local residents to shape the future of their neighborhoods.

The details

The first of seven workshops across San Diego County kicked off at a 7-acre site in National City that was divided by the construction of Interstate 805. The land, now used as an illegal dumping ground, is being reclaimed by a coalition of nonprofits, residents and stakeholders who want to turn it into a community space with pedestrian and bike pathways, murals, trees, and more. After the workshops, regional transportation officials will lay out infrastructure connection ideas for seven focus areas across the county, with a final report of proposed solutions expected this summer.

  • The first workshop was held on Friday, April 3, 2026.
  • The final report of proposed solutions is expected to be released this summer.

The players

Janice Luna Reynoso

The founder and executive director of Mundo Gardens, a nonprofit co-leading efforts to upgrade the land in National City.

Jose Rodriguez

A National City Councilmember whose district includes the Caltrans-owned land surrounded by the 805 freeway.

Anahí Rodríguez

A San Diego native who said the site in National City would be ideal for a park.

Pete Buttigieg

The former U.S. Transportation Secretary who has described the practice of building freeways through minority communities as racist.

San Diego Association of Governments

The regional transportation agency partnering with Caltrans on the study to explore projects related to transportation, housing, green spaces, and more that could help reconnect divided communities.

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What they’re saying

“It's knowing that we are going to make a better way seven generations out.”

— Janice Luna Reynoso, Founder and Executive Director, Mundo Gardens

“On that little corner of Division, east of the 805, and west of the 805 they're completely separate neighborhoods.”

— Jose Rodriguez, National City Councilmember

“One thing that we don't have around here is a safe place for families to come together.”

— Anahí Rodríguez, San Diego Resident

What’s next

Regional transportation officials plan to release a final report of proposed solutions to reconnect divided communities by this summer.

The takeaway

These workshops represent an important effort to correct the racist legacy of freeway construction that has divided communities for decades. By empowering local residents to shape the future of their neighborhoods, San Diego has an opportunity to build more equitable and connected infrastructure that serves all members of the community.