Oceanside

The Pacific Street crossing, a section of gravel-topped road that spans the mouth of the San Luis Rey River here, has been washed out by flooding and will remain closed until April 1, city officials said.

The controversial crossing, which links North Pacific Street with the Oceanside harbor area, has been washed out almost annually over the last decade by heavy tides and winter flooding. Each year, the City Council has been divided over whether to rebuild the 600-foot-long stretch, which provides a second entrance to the busy harbor and is considered an important access route for lifeguards.

About a year ago, a group of businessmen spent $20,000 to rebuild the road. Two months later, it was washed out. In March, the city spent $25,000 to rebuild the crossing, calling the project an investment in the harbor’s future. Only Councilman Walter Gilbert dissented, characterizing the expense as “throwing people’s money into the river.”