In February, SANDAG released its quarterly transportation progress report. This document summarizes the current status of major highway, transit, arterial, traffic management, and transportation demand management projects in SANDAG's five-year Regional Transportation Improvement Program for October-December 2004. The TransNet one-half cent local sales tax and other local, state, and federal sources fund these projects.

Highway Projects:
Construction began on the TransNet-funded SR 76/Olive Hill Road intersection, scheduled for completion this summer. The SR 905/Siempre Viva Road Interchange project was opened to traffic in early December 2004. This initial SR 905 corridor project will improve traffic operations at Otay Mesa just north of the U.S.-Mexico border crossing by separating international traffic from local traffic.

Arterial and Freeway Interchange Projects:
Progress continues on the City of Carlsbad project to extend South Melrose Drive from Palomar Airport Road to the Vista city limit. Opening of the road is scheduled for April 2006.

Traffic and Demand Management:
Testing is complete for the Regional Automated Vehicle Location project, which provides for the automatic tracking of Freeway Service Patrol and Caltrans Traffic Management Team vehicles and select transit vehicles to enhance operations. “Next bus” message signs will be installed at the airport this month. During the second quarter of FY 2005, the Freeway Service Patrol assisted approximately 14,150 motorists, about four percent more than last quarter. Vanpool participation grew 12 percent in the last year, from 363 vanpools to 406 vanpools. Average ridership per vanpool was nine passengers, with 3,713 total passengers participating in the program.

Project Mangaer:
Jose Nuncio
619-699-1908