A new roundabout is now in place at El Paso Street and Dalhart Avenue near Murray Manor Elementary School in La Mesa, according to East County Magazine.

The project opened just as the 2026-27 school year began at Murray Manor. East County Magazine reported that La Mesa City Manager Greg Humora said traffic moved smoothly during school drop-off and pick-up late last week, with no reported incidents.

The intersection remains an active work zone while contractors finish roadway striping, permanent signage and landscaping. A La Mesa police officer monitored the area during school commute times, and the city's Public Works engineering team watched how drivers responded to the new pattern.

The roundabout was built through La Mesa's Neighborhood Traffic Management Program. City officials say modern roundabouts are designed to slow vehicles, reduce conflict points among drivers, pedestrians and bicyclists, and keep traffic moving without a stop sign or signal.

For Santee and East County families, the project is a useful example of the kind of neighborhood traffic-calming work cities are using around schools and residential streets. Drivers heading through the area should slow down, yield to traffic already in the roundabout and watch carefully for pedestrians and bicyclists.