Our Project Partners

SANDAG is one of the nation’s most recognized regional planning agencies. The work we do is made possible by the leadership from our Board of Directors, expertise of our staff, and critical input from the public. We also rely on our partnerships with local, state, federal, international, and tribal governments, as well as regional transit agencies, the military, and community organizations.

Our partner organizations participate in the SANDAG Board of Directors, Policy Advisory Committees, and working groups, providing valuable input and helping us make decisions that serve all people in the San Diego region. They serve on task forces to help us understand the needs of our diverse region. And they help us ensure that our performance goals are met.

The success of SANDAG’s regional projects and programs depends on fostering a close relationship with communities throughout our region. We partner with community-based organizations and community collaboratives to help us engage with a variety of populations around the region so we can listen to people’s concerns and understand the issues that impact them. As the forum for regional decision-making, we are committed making sure all voices are heard.

Through working agreements with local, state, federal, and tribal governments, as well as regional transit agencies, SANDAG ensures the achievement of regional goals. As the region’s consolidated agency and the sole state and federal grant clearinghouse, SANDAG fosters regional coordination. This approach results in access to the best technical expertise, plans that more accurately reflect the needs of our region, and public support. Working groups and task forces comprised of residents, partners, and community organizations are also key.

Examples of agencies with whom we coordinate and collaborate include:

We engage with these agencies in a variety of ways. For example, SANDAG maintains formal agreements with the Southern California Tribal Chairmen’s Association (SCTCA) to collaborate with the region’s 17 sovereign tribal nations to ensure that our plans for the region protect tribal lands, culture, and resources throughout every stage of the process. Through a government-to-government framework, SANDAG collaborates with SCTCA to convene tribal summits every four years where regional leaders from local governments and federally recognized tribal governments engage in a diplomatic dialogue and identify priority actions.

Many of the partners listed above serve as nonvoting advisory members on our Board of Directors. We also partner with community-based organizations selected through a competitive request for proposals process. Learn more about our efforts with community partners by visiting our Social Equity in Planning page.

Federal metropolitan transportation planning regulations require annual certification that SANDAG’s planning process conforms with all applicable federal requirements. The certification finding is based upon several factors:

  • The agency must be officially designated as the Metropolitan Planning Organization for the San Diego region (23 U.S. Code 134, 49 U.S. Code 1607).
  • SANDAG must have an adopted Regional Transportation Plan (RTP; part of the Regional Plan), Regional Transportation Improvement Plan (RTIP), and Overall Work Program (OWP) that meet the necessary federal requirements.
  • The RTP and RTIP must be consistent with the regionally adopted air quality plan (Sec. 174 and 176(c) and (d) of the Clean Air Act FY 2025).

SANDAG provides the appropriate documents and endorsements to Caltrans and maintains file copies. As a part of the annual Program Budget and OWP adoption process, the Board makes the required certification finding. The finding is then transmitted to Caltrans, the Federal Highway Administration (FHWA), and the Federal Transit Administration (FTA). Caltrans notifies SANDAG if there are any deficiencies in the planning process that could result in conditional certification. In such a case, the corrective actions and the date by which they must be taken are specified in an agreement between SANDAG and Caltrans.

SANDAG follows the Code of Federal Regulations (23 CFR Part 450) to set federal performance targets for timing, data use, and performance monitoring. Working groups, PACs, and transit providers also contribute input. SANDAG incorporates performance data—measured against federal performance targets, as well as social equity and quality of life metrics—into planning and programming efforts through network analysis and project phasing. The Transportation Improvement Program helps implement regional planning efforts while ensuring that national performance goals are met.

The success of SANDAG’s regional projects and programs depends on fostering a close relationship with communities throughout our region. Public outreach efforts are guided by SANDAG Board Policy No. 025, Public Participation Plan Policy (PPP), the agency’s commitment to equity, and our Language Assistance Plan (LAP).

The PPP establishes a process for communicating with and obtaining input from the public concerning agency programs, projects, and funding. It addresses Title VI and related requirements. The PPP includes procedures, strategies, and outcomes associated with the ten requirements listed in 23 CFR 450.316. The plan also fulfills various state and federal requirements pertaining to public involvement.

As required by the Federal Transit Administration, the LAP identifies groups in the San Diego region that may need additional support and how language assistance—comprised of translation and interpretation services—is provided to people with limited English proficiency.

SANDAG has an obligation to ensure that everyone has safe, healthy, and accessible ways to get involved by providing a variety of opportunities to connect. Members of the public are invited to:

  • Apply to serve on the TransNet Independent Taxpayer Oversight Committee or the Audit Committee
  • Attend public hearings, workshops, and community meetings which are held virtually and/or in person
  • Provide feedback through surveys, phone hotlines, our website, written correspondence, etc.
  • Engage with us through our website, social media, and in-person events such as community fairs and workshops
  • Learn more through fact sheets, reports, emails, and other publications 

SANDAG also reaches out to the public through partnerships with community-based organizations, special presentations, signage, and more. The goal is to provide a chance for all members of the public to weigh in and learn about how SANDAG work efforts affect them. We attempt to present technical and policy issues in approachable terms, and additional information is available through our Public Information Office or at SANDAG.org. Materials may be provided in alternate formats upon request with at least 72 hours’ notice. Special accommodations include translated materials and interpretation and closed captioning and other ADA compliant formats.

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