News Details (Posted: April 5, 2006):

Vista councilman seeks early opening of Melrose Drive

Full Description:

A Vista City Councilman urged Carlsbad's leaders Tuesday night to open a new section of Melrose Drive this summer rather than waiting until 2007 as initially planned.

"Do the right thing for your city and your employees," Vista Councilman Steve Gronke told the Carlsbad City Council during its regular weekly meeting.

Carlsbad officials responded that under the terms of Carlsbad's legal settlement with Vista, they aren't required to open the new section of Melrose until the rest of nearby Faraday Avenue is ready.

"The agreement we have with Vista is that both would open in 2007," Carlsbad Mayor Bud Lewis said.

Vista's leaders and many of the region's commuters have sought the new, small section of Melrose Drive for years, because it will link Vista's part of Highway 78 and the county courthouse region to Carlsbad's Palomar Airport Road and ultimately Interstate 5.

The two cities' legal battle over extending Melrose Drive culminated in the court settlement.