Jamul Indian Village Debuts Casino to Large Crowds and Traffic
The Hollywood Casino at Jamul Indian Village along State Route 94 is set to open on Monday, shown here on Wednesday, Oct. 5, 2016. (K.C. Alfred)
By David Hernandez
Contact Reporter
The grand opening of a casino in Jamul created major traffic congestion on state Route 94 Monday, leading to several reports of people driving recklessly.
The traffic jam began hours before the 2 p.m. opening of Hollwood Casino Jamul-San Diego and continued into the night. The California Highway Patrol advised drivers to avoid the area near the casino — which sits on the Jamul Indian Village along Route 94 — if possible.
By the evening, traffic was backed up on Route 94 in both directions: west to state Route 125 and state Route 54 and east to Honey Springs Road, CHP officials said.
“On other days the traffic doesn’t get that bad,” said CHP Officer Robert Catano. “A lot of the traffic there was heading to the casino.”
The CHP began getting calls about the traffic congestion on the rural road about 10:30 a.m., according to its website. Some people reported drivers crossing double-yellow lines to pass vehicles, making illegal U-turns, running red lights and parking in undesignated spaces such as driveways. Multiple callers said parked vehicles were blocking the entrance to the Cal Fire station near the casino.
Catano said the casino’s parking, which consists of five levels of underground parking and three above, was at or near capacity a few hours after its opening.
Four CHP officers and one sergeant were sent to control and direct traffic near the casino, Catano said. Caltrans set up signs on different sections of Route 94 to advise drivers about the traffic jam.
Carl Starrett of Rancho San Diego said his daughter keeps a horse near Steele Canyon High School on Route 94. She wasn’t able to ride Monday because of the heavy traffic, he said.
“She tried to go ride today, but the traffic gods decided differently,” Starrett said.
Prior to the Monday’s opening, opponents of Hollywood Casino vocalized concerns about the traffic problems that would arise. The casino is expected to add 9,000 vehicles to the area daily, a 50 percent jump.
Some worry alcohol in the casino may lead drunken driving.
County Supervisor Dianne Jacobs has criticized Caltrans for allowing the casino to open despite badly needed road improvements.
She took to Twitter several times Monday, referring to the traffic jam as #HollywoodHorrorShow.
On Monday afternoon, Steele Canyon High School’s principal sent an email to parents notifying them of the traffic issues that could arise along the school.
“The Hollywood Casino in Jamul opened today. This has the potential to dramatically affect driving conditions on Campo Rd/Hwy 94,” Don Hohimer said, in part. “It will be particularly difficult in the evenings when we have special events. For example, this Friday’s football game and the Homecoming dance Saturday night. Please be extra careful, cautious, and defensive as we all adjust to this new safety concern.”
Caltrans advised drivers more traffic congestion near the casino was expected for the rest of the week.
The eight-story, $360 million casino features more than 1,700 slot machines and 50 live table games.
There are eight restaurants, a bar with an outdoor seating area offering a view of the mountains in Jamul, and a sports bar dedicated to the late San Diego Padres outfielder Tony Gwynn.