SANDAG Board Approves $1.3 Billion for More Than 200 Projects Across The San Diego Region

New Interactive Budget Map Now Available to Explore Regional Projects

On Friday, the SANDAG Board of Directors approved its $1.3 billion annual FY 2025 budget, which will take effect July 1, 2024. The budget covers more than 200 projects across the region, including:

• $683.2 million for TransNet Major Corridors, the Goods Movement Program, the Regional Bikeway Program, and other transit and capital improvements
• $217.1 million to be passed through to local governments for streets and roads
• $80.9 million for regional planning projects and programs
• $79.9 million for regional operations

For the first time, a new interactive map is now available for community members and local leaders to explore the projects in their neighborhoods.

“This budget has something for everyone. Whether it’s enhanced transit, major improvements to ease congestion or more bike paths, we’re working to ensure that everyone can have equitable access to our beautiful region,” said SANDAG and San Diego County Board of Supervisors Chairwoman Nora Vargas. “This budget serves as the blueprint for SANDAG to prioritize projects that emphasize equity and inclusion.”

Continued work on several key projects and programs that will benefit the entire San Diego region are also represented in the budget:

• Youth Opportunity Pass (YOP): This pilot program, which provides free, unlimited transit rides for people age 18 and under, is being extended for another year. It has provided more than 11 million rides countywide since its launch.
• Airport Transit Connection: Technical analysis and public outreach will be completed to identify the locally preferred alternative for a direct transit link to the airport. This funding will allow us to complete the environmental phase and begin design work.
• LOSSAN: The Del Mar Bluffs V Stabilization project to protect the rail corridor from coastal erosion will begin at the same time the LOSSAN Rail Realignment project begins the environmental phase to ultimately relocate the tracks off the bluffs by 2035.
• Otay Mesa East Port of Entry: We will continue working on site preparations and critical agreements with federal and Mexico partners to keep moving development of the future port of entry forward.
• Blue Line Improvements: Studies are underway for various improvements to the Blue Line Trolley, including community-oriented development around two stops which will speed up trip times and increase access for transit riders. SANDAG is also actively planning near-term solutions like more Rapid buses to serve people traveling north and south on this route.
• Purple Line: SANDAG is exploring the best way to build this new transit line through two studies. The first looks at types of trains and possible routes for the National City to Sorrento Mesa section. The second examines ways to improve all major transit lines from South County to San Diego. SANDAG is also planning a temporary Rapid bus route to serve passengers traveling between these neighborhoods.
• TransNet Major Corridors: Roadway projects include improvements to SR 67, SR 52, I-15/SR 78 Connectors, SR 78/I-5 Express Lanes Connectors, and I-5 HOV lanes extending to Oceanside. Transit projects include Blue Line railway signal improvements, Palomar Street rail grade separation, several double-tracking projects, and the implementation of six new Rapid bus projects.
• Regional Bike Network: SANDAG has 16 bike projects in progress, with 3 under construction: Border to Bayshore, Bayshore Bikeway Barrio Logan, and the Pershing Bikeway. In FY 2025, SANDAG plans to break ground on Imperial Avenue Bikeway; Inland Rail Trail Phase 3; Uptown Bikeways: Eastern Hillcrest, Washington Street, and Mission Valley; North Park/Mid-City Bikeways: Orange Avenue and University Avenue; and the Central Avenue Bikeway.
• Toll Operations: The transition to a new back-office system is on track to be completed in 2025 and will include regular vendor and internal assessments, a quality assurance and quality control plan, and operational and customer service improvements. Internal policies will also include regular and proactive reporting to the SANDAG Board as well as transparent communication with the public.

Notable updates to the approved budget include funding secured by Congressman Mike Levin and Congressman Darrell Issa for the following projects:

• San Dieguito Lagoon Double Track Phase 2 Construction: The project will receive $99.1 million and use North County Transit District funds and matching TransNet funds to fully finance construction.
• Harbor Drive 2.0/Vesta Street Bridge: With an allocation of $11 million, the project will benefit from new federal Reconnecting Communities grant funds, specifically to acquire the necessary land for the construction of the project.
• I-15/SR 78 HOV Connectors: Thanks to the support of federal Community Project funds, $4 million will advance the environmental and design phases of the project to create new lanes and connectors at the intersection of SR 78 and I-15.
• Del Mar Bluffs V Stabilization: With $3 million allocated, this project will leverage new state funds to completely finance construction and support near-term safety and reliability of the LOSSAN rail line along the bluffs in Del Mar.
• I-5 HOV Lanes in Oceanside: This $1.2 million from the federal Community Project funds will advance the design phase of the I-5 HOV lanes extending to Oceanside to improve traffic flow.

Learn more and view the interactive budget map at SANDAG.org/budget.