District: District 11 — San Diego and Imperial Counties
Contact: Stephen.Welborn@dot.ca.gov
Phone: (619) 688-6670
Second Community in the State to Receive Designation
SAN DIEGO — An official unveiling ceremony was held this afternoon to reveal new “Entering Julian” and “International Dark Sky Community” signs that will be installed along State Route 78 (SR-78) and Stet Route 79 (SR-79), to help encourage more stargazers, visitors, and shoppers to restaurants and businesses located in Julian.
The San Diego County Board of Supervisors recently led an initiative to adopt a lighting ordinance that made the designation of Julian as an International Dark Sky Community possible.
An International Dark Sky Community has taken steps to preserve the darkness of the night sky and the view of the stars and planets by limiting light pollution at night. Julian is only the second community in the state with this designation.
Signs are used to distinguish important environmental, historical, and commercial districts. San Diego highways are used by millions of visitors and residents each year, and signage creates meaningful visibility and awareness of community places.
Community leaders, donors, and representatives from local organizations and offices of elected officials were invited to attend today’s ceremony. Speakers at the ceremony include Robin Boland, Executive Director of Julian Chamber of Commerce; Paige Bounds, Communications Coordinator for Supervisor Joel Anderson; Doug Sollosy, Founder of Julian Dark Sky Network; Gustavo Dallarda, Caltrans District 11 Director, Eric Jones, President of Volcan Mountain Foundation, Member of Julian Community Planning Group, and Julie Zerbe, Board member of Julian Architectural Review Board.
“Thanks to the Julian Dark Sky Network, our children and grandchildren will experience the beauty of the natural night and enjoy skies full of stars protected from urban light,” said Supervisor Joel Anderson. “East County is grateful to the dedicated community members who helped Julian earn their accreditation as an International Dark Sky Community. I applaud their efforts to preserve Julian’s dark skies for future generations.”
“Highway signs may seem commonplace or ordinary. We know they have special meaning because they guide you to places with rich interest and history,” said Caltrans District 11 Director Gustavo Dallarda; “They take you to special places where people explore, shop, find entertainment, and thrive, like the Julian Dark Sky Community.”
Motorists are reminded to be Work Zone Alert if traveling in the area and to watch for highway workers and moving construction equipment.
The construction schedule is subject to change due to weather conditions, traffic incidents, or other construction-related reasons.
For real-time traffic information including traffic speed, lane and road closures due to construction and maintenance activities, and more, go to http://quickmap.dot.ca.gov/
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