News Release

Statement from SANDAG Chair and Encinitas Mayor Catherine Blakespear:

I applaud Governor Newsom for his continued commitment to clean transportation, housing, and climate resiliency. His proposed $9.1 billion in new transportation funding will help SANDAG advance transformative projects and programs that support zero emission vehicles (ZEV) and infrastructure, affordable housing, and reduce greenhouse gas emissions.

I am also grateful to see the Governor’s proposal includes a continued investment in the Clean California program to remove trash and litter from nearby our region’s roadways. SANDAG’s Regional Litter Abatement Subcommittee shares this goal and we look forward to continuing to work with our partners at Caltrans to beautify our highways and local roads.

Statement from SANDAG CEO Hasan Ikhrata:

Between the federal investments in infrastructure announced last year and Governor Newsom’s proposal for the coming year, SANDAG stands ready to hit the ground running in 2022.

The Governor’s budget proposal provides significant funding to help SANDAG improve equity, mobility, and access for every community in the San Diego region. It also positions the state and the region to successfully compete for billions of dollars in federal Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act funding.

Goods movement projects - like the future Otay Mesa East Port of Entry project; rail and transit projects - like the LOSSAN (Los Angeles - San Diego - San Luis Obispo) rail corridor realignment and Central Mobility Hub; and bike projects that can help us achieve Vision Zero all stand ready to benefit from this proposal.

The budget proposal includes the following investments related to transportation infrastructure:

- $4.2 billion to advance work on high-speed rail construction and planning
- $2 billion to support high-priority transit and rail infrastructure projects statewide
- $1.25 billion focused on Southern California rail projects that improve mobility and reduce greenhouse gas emissions
- $750 million to transform active transportation networks statewide 
- $500 million for high-priority grade separation projects, which improve safety and transit reliability
- $935 million to increase heavy-duty ZEV and supporting infrastructure, including $400 million for port electrification
- $1 billion in housing development that furthers the state's climate goals, including $300 million for the Affordable Housing and Sustainable Communities program
- $100 million to continue the Clean California Local Grant Program, which provides grants to local government agencies to remove trash and debris from their communities
- $419 million to support sustainable community-based transportation equity projects that increase access to zero-emission mobility in low-income communities
- $256 million for low-income consumer ZEV purchases, and $900 million to expand affordable and convenient ZEV infrastructure access in low-income neighborhoods
- $350 million for coastal wetland protection and restoration, and projects that build coastal resilience

For media inquiries, please contact Stacy Garcia at 619.699.1950 or PIO@sandag.org