SD infrastructure fix delayed

Efforts to begin repairing San Diego’s deteriorating streets, buildings and other infrastructure suffered a setback Wednesday when city officials announced that a comprehensive plan to tackle the problem has been delayed several months.

Every member of the City Council lists decaying infrastructure as the No. 1 problem facing San Diego.

City officials blamed the delay on challenges gathering data for the project, which will include a detailed evaluation of the city’s estimated $2 billion infrastructure backlog and an unprecedented five-year plan for prioritizing and coordinating projects.

Scheduled for completion this month, the plan will now be finished and unveiled in late November or early December, public works director James Nagelvoort told the council’s Infrastructure Committee Wednesday morning.

Ongoing assessments of city sidewalks, recreation centers, water pipes and other assets have taken longer than expected, Nagelvoort said. Another hurdle has been determining criteria for which projects to prioritize, he said.

“It has ended up being more work than we ever thought it would be, but we’re still very much committed to getting the project done,” Nagelvoort said, adding that he’s optimistic about the quality of the final product. “It’s coming together quite well.”

Unlike most other large cities — and even many small cities — San Diego has never had a long-term plan for repairing and building infrastructure.

Councilman Scott Sherman called the plan crucial Wednesday.

“If we’re going to spend taxpayers’ money efficiently and effectively, this is one of the first steps,” he said.

Another challenge facing city plans to tackle the infrastructure backlog is a lawsuit that’s delayed the sale of $120 million in bonds since April.

Mary Lewis, the city’s chief financial officer, said Wednesday that an Oct. 24 hearing has been scheduled in that case.