The Jamul Indian Village of eastern San Diego County broke ground July 31 on long-sought road improvements on State Route 94, a winding, narrow state highway that serves the $360 million Jamul Casino owned by the tribe.
The tribe is funding $571,000 in road improvements, include upgrades that will improve access to the casino as well as safety. The money comes from casino profits. The tribe has agreed to fund a total of $3.7 million.
One of the improvements is installing a traffic light at the intersection of the highway and Lyons Valley Center, a two lane road. Traffic consultants hired by the tribe have been working with the California Department of Transportation and County officials on the project.
Tribal Chairman Erica Pinto told the San Diego Union Tribune: “For years, the Jamul Indian Village, the Board of Supervisors and the community have said that the roads out here need to be improved.” She added, “Our growing population can’t rely on the roads of the past and the dangerous intersections like we have right here in our community. The safety of our community has always been our top priority. The… controlled intersection light will make traveling through our community much safer for everyone who travels our roads.”
The eight-story Jamul Casino with 1,700 slots and 50 gaming tables opened on the tiny Jamul reservation as the Hollywood Casino under the branding of Penn National Gaming. However the tribe and Penn parted ways earlier this year.
The casino has attracted fierce opposition from the community, and especially from Dianne Jacob, who serves on the Board of Supervisors. She has called the casino the “Hollywood Horror Show.”
Jacob is not mollified by the road work. She says the roadwork is overdue.
The casino employs 1,000.
