SANDAG has announced that Congress recently approved the Fiscal Year 2005 Transportation Spending Bill securing more than $153 million to fund regional transportation projects. In combination with revenue from TransNet, the local half-cent sales tax, the funding will help keep San Diego moving.

Transit projects funded by the bill include: the Oceanside-Escondido Rail Line known as the Sprinter ($55 million); the I-15 managed lanes/bus rapid transit project ($1.7 million); the Mission Valley East light rail line ($81 million); the Mid-Coast Trolley Extension ($1 million); the Spring Valley Transit Center ($800,000); the Solana Beach Parking Structure ($650,000); the San Luis Rey Transit Center ($400,000); and Transit First ($750,000) an innovative project in Chula Vista which aims to increase transit's market segment by providing an attractive express bus alternative to solo driving.

Highway projects incorporated in the funding scheme include: improvements to North Coast I-5 at the Sorrento Valley/Gennessee Road Interchange ($1.5 million); State Route 905 ($3 million); SR 52 ($1 million); SR 56 ($3 million); I-8 connectors ($1.2 million); the SR 76 ($1 million); and I-5/SR 78 ($500,000). In addition, funding is included for the San Diego Joint Transport ation Operations Center ($750,000), a hub which will serve as a focal point to respond to daily traffic tie-ups.

“Transportation projects benefit all of us and are critical to the continued growth, prosperity, and sustainability of our region,” said SANDAG Chairman Mickey Cafagna. “These projects are intrinsically tied to a number of other regional issues such as land use and planning, housing, environment, and public safety. SANDAG is grateful for the great work of the San Diego federal delegation that will keep much-needed transportation projects in San Diego on target,” added Cafagna, who is also the Mayor of Poway.

Project Manager:
Ellen Roundtree
619-699-6960