SANDAG adds funding for Route 76 east of I-15

A proposed budget amendment to the San Diego Association of Governments’ Capital Improvement Program triggered a debate between funding roads and funding transit projects, but the compromise motion approved by the SANDAG board Sept. 27 retained $3 million for corridor system management planning and advanced planning for four state highways including state Route 76.

The compromise motion passed with an 11-7 vote. The city of Chula Vista abstained while the opposition was from the cities of Carlsbad, Del Mar, Encinitas, Imperial Beach, Lemon Grove, National City and Solana Beach. The budget amendment adds $593.4 million in projects between fiscal year 2019-2020 and fiscal year 2024-2025.

“The SANDAG board came together on a compromise that fits all transportation needs in San Diego County,” county Supervisor Jim Desmond said, who is one of two county representatives on the SANDAG board. “Throughout this process I’ve asked for a balanced plan that addresses the transportation needs for all of San Diego County. This plan allocates dollars to much-needed projects.”

The compromise was proposed by Poway Mayor Steve Vaus, who is also the chair of the SANDAG board, and by Escondido Mayor Paul McNamara.

Although the compromise eliminated $60 million for the design and construction to convert the high-occupancy vehicle lanes on Interstate 15 to express lanes, the compromise motion added $39 million for HOV lanes along state Route 78 between Interstate 5 and I-15 and $13 million for the design and environmental phases of the express lanes connector project for Route 78 and I-5, while increasing the funding for the environmental design phase to widen Route 67 from two lanes to four from $13 million to $21 million.

The compromise also accelerated funding for the design of the express lanes connector for I-15 and Route 78, the construction of operational improvements on Route 52 and the design of the Palomar Street rail grade separation in Chula Vista.

The corridor system management planning and advanced planning adds Route 76 and Route 78 east of I-15 to the planning which also includes Route 52 and Route 67.

The focus on Route 67 in the corridor system management plan addresses emergency evacuation and is separate from the project to widen Route 67 between Mapleview Street in Lakeside to Dye Road in Ramona.

A corridor system management plan is a comprehensive integrated management plan to increase transportation options and improve travel times in that corridor. The plan includes all travel modes for that corridor including freeways and other highways, parallel and connecting roadways, public transit and bicycle pathways.

SANDAG has budgeted $3 million for the corridor system management planning and advanced planning project, and all of that will be handled during fiscal year 2019-2020. The cost covers $2.85 million for environmental documentation and $150,000 for administration