San Diego LRT to get California highway funds
Written by William C. Vantuono, Editor-in-ChiefA reduced expansion plan for Interstate 5 in San Diego could free up nearly $800 million to be redirected to light rail transit (LRT) expansion, as well as pedestrian and bicycle improvements, according to the San Diego Association of Governments (SANDAG).
SANDAG has approved the redistribution plan, following a decision by the California Department of Transportation expand I-5 by only four lanes instead of six. SANDAG had originally budgeted for a six-lane expansion in the metropolitan transportation organization’s 40-year regional transportation plan.
Almost $600 million would be directed toward smart-growth developments and railroad at-grade separation projects. SANDAG also would accelerate some LRT projects, including the Mid-City LRT route running from downtown to San Diego State University along El Cajon Boulevard.
The "Safe Routes to Transit" program would receive about $200 million, with much of the money used to establish safe biking and pedestrian routes.
