El Camino Real Downtown Infrastructure Enhancement Plan

The El Camino Real Downtown Infrastructure Enhancement Plan (DIEP) is a complete street project that incorporates safe access for all users including pedestrians, bicyclists, motorists and public transit users of all ages and abilities. The project includes a road diet from four lanes to two, with a center parking area modeled after the "ramblas" in Barcelona. The objectives of this project include providing safer crossings for pedestrians, increasing parking to support economic growth, and creating an attractive destination for the community. The center parking areas are flexible spaces that may be used as event spaces during street closures. The Project limits include the El Camino Real corridor from Highway 41 to Rosario Avenue in Atascadero.

The concept design went through several iterations of public outreach and was approved by City Council in 2020. In 2021, the City hired the Wallace Group team to lead the project through to final construction documents. The team consists of Earth Systems, KTUA, Central Coast Transportation Consultants, and Kittelson & Associates providing geotechnical, streetscaping, electrical design, and traffic review support. Wallace Group performed topographic and right of way survey mapping, refined the concept with additional community outreach, coordinated with utility companies, analyzed stormwater requirements, and submitted final PS&E to the City. Construction began in June 2024 and the project was completed in June of 2025.