Date: February 12, 2024
To: Honorable Mayor and Members of the City Council
Via: Maria V. Kachadoorian, City Manager
From: Adrianna Hernandez, Special Projects & Legislative Manager Re: State Route 125 South Bay Expressway
REFERRAL
On December 12, 2023, the City Council made a referral to the City Manager requested a report and update on the State Route 125 (SR 125) Toll Road also known as the South Bay Expressway (SBX). This memo will cover the history and development of the toll road section of the SR 125 and the City’s efforts to-date toward debt elimination and removal of tolls.
BACKGROUND
Since 1959, the toll road section of the SR 125 has been a planned part of the regional freeway network and in 1984, SANDAG added Route 125 to the 20 -year Regional Transportation Plan (RTP), as part of the County’s future freeway system but without funding identified . According to public records, the need for SR 125 was driven by: 1) observed and expected popula tion growth around the City of San Diego ; 2) observed and expected commercial traffic growth in the southeast part of San Diego County, an area of expanding trade with Mexico at the Otay Mesa Port of Entry ; and 3) observed and expected economic growth and activity in Chula Vista and Otay Mesa, which at the time were largely undeveloped.
The SR 125 was expected to achieve the following goals: 1) complete a missing link in the San Diego freeway network; 2) reduce traffic congestion in the suburbs of San Dieg o including the City of Chula Vista, where significant population growth was expected ; 3) reduce travel time by 34 percent from Otay Mesa to San Diego and by 75 percent in the reverse direction; 4) improve regional mobility in the South Bay; and 5) give residents and businesses access to employment centers on both sides of the U.S.-Mexico border.
Due to lack of funding options, the road was pursued as a public -private partnership made possible by Assembly Bill (AB) 680. I n 1989, the State Legislature approved Assembly Bill 680 which authorized Caltrans to enter into contractual agreements with private entities for the construction and operation of toll roads. This allowed the construction of the road earlier than anticipated by allowing the collection of tolls. This agreement also prohibited Caltrans from building any competing roads or improvements to the SR 125 Toll Road.
In 1991, the State of California Department of Transportation ( Caltrans) and California Transportation Ventures (CTV) signed a development franchise agreement (DFA) for the project, allowing CTV to finance and construct the toll road.
The City partnered with Caltrans in 2003 and dedicated 270 acres of right -of-way to the State for the development of the SBX. This significant contribution was a cost savings to the project and critical to the public private partnership’s ability to fund and build the toll road. 2 | P a g e
During the 2006 legislative session, the legislature passed Senate Bill 463, which applied solely to SR 125, and states that SR 125 shall be subject to tolls for up to 45 years. The statute further provides that SANDAG, subject to certain terms and conditions, may operate the facility and collect tolls to pay for projects within the SR 125 corridor at the end of the franchise period.
In November 2007, Caltrans entered into the SR 125 Tollway Lease with SBX LP leasing back the operational rights for a 35-year concession period through November 2042.
The SR 125 Toll Road opened in 2007 as a ten-mile stretch of SR 125 that runs from Otay Mesa Road near State Route 905 to S tate Route 54. The highway provides quick and convenient travel choices between eastern Chula Vista, Downtown San Diego, East County, Sorrento Valley, Interstate 8, State Route 94, Otay Mesa, and Mexico. The SBX Project connects the only commercial port of entry in San Diego to the regional freeway network. The road also connects Otay Mesa, the largest area of industrial-zoned land in San Diego County, with eastern Chula Vista and points north and east.
In 2010, CTV filed for bankruptcy and the San Diego Association of Governments (SANDAG) took advantage of a great opportunity to purchase the franchise from creditors, including the U.S. Department of Transportation, in December 2011 for $341.5 million (35 percent of construction cost). Acquiring the toll road with the intent of removing the tolls in future years meant SANDAG could reduce the number of additional lanes planned for Interstate 805 through the South Bay. South Bay agreed to swap regional TransNet dollars approved for construction of two reversible high-occupancy vehicle lanes on I-805 (valued at $212 million in 2010) for the acquisition of the SR 125 Toll Road. Overall, acquiring the toll road was intended to improve mobility by achieving the same level of service that is in the draft 2050 Regional Transportation Plan (RTP) 20 years earlier than planned and resulting in a net savings to the region of $265 million. This option also would mean Caltrans would not need to maintain two reversible h igh-occupancy vehicles lanes.
3 | P a g e
Caltrans remains the owner of the SR 125 Toll Road and SANDAG operates, maintains, and tolls pursuant to an Amended and Restated Development Franchise Agreement (ARDFA) dated February 1, 2013 and until November 2042 when control and responsibility of the road will revert to Caltrans.
Based on recent information shared by SANDAG, below is a chart of recent historical revenues and expenses.
SR 125 FRANCHISE ACQUISITION FINANCING (SANDAG)
The acquisition of the SR 125 Toll Road was initially made possible by loans and funding from Tran sNet, the regional half-cent sales tax for transportation administered by SANDAG, and by federal loans under the Transportation Infrastructure Finance and Innovation Act (TIFIA).
Purchase
Structure
Cash Funding Source
Cash
Settlement
$247.5 million $55.5 million: TransNet Loan (not including investment banking services fee)
(Reimbursed with Toll Revenues)
$192 million: TransNet Project Swap after
operations trial period (No reimbursement
to TransNet) *
TIFIA Note $92.5 million Toll Revenues
Series D $1.4 million Toll Revenues
Total $341.5 million
* The 2010 value of the two reversible HOV lanes project on I -805 was $212 million. This was adjusted to $192 million to account for the expenditure of $20 million for environmental and design work completed.
4 | P a g e
On November 21, 2017 , SANDAG issued $194 million toll revenue bonds to refinance indebtedness incurred in connection with the acquisition of SR 125. Proceeds from the 2017 bond issuance together with other available funds were used to refund all outstanding TIFIA and TransNet notes . By securing a more conservative level debt service structure , SANDAG will save more than $147 million over the 26 -year life of the loans. Toll revenue is dedicated to repay these loans, as well as the cost of daily operations, maintenance, and capital improvements.
5 | P a g e
As of July 1, 2023, the debt outstanding is $167.2 million. An annual debt service chart is provided below.
The annual payment on the bonds is level at about $13.8 million through final maturity in FY 2043.
6 | P a g e
TOLL IMPACTS
The SR 125 Toll Road is currently the only toll road in San Diego County. The existing tolls place an undue and disproportionate burden on South Bay users and hinder the City’s economic development activity in areas such as business attraction and retention. In addition, the new U.S./Mexico border crossing in Otay Mesa connects to SR 125 via SR 905 . The new crossing is expected to open in 2024 and is an important connector for people and goods movement.
Based on SANDAG data, 84 percent of toll trips start or end at Chula Vista residences and businesses. With average annual toll revenues of over $40 million, Chula Vista residents and businesses conservatively pay more than $30 million in tolls/fines annuall y and since the toll road opened, have paid over $500 million to support its construction, operation, and maintenance.
Even though SANDAG has been able to lower the tolls after refinancing of the debt in 2017 and while there is consistent usage of the toll road and positive cash flow, the full use of the facility has not been a chieved.
Additionally, the projected congestion relief on other highways and streets has not materialized. Today Chula Vista city streets are significantly impacted with traffic during the morning and afternoon commutes as drivers head west to take Interstates 805 and 5.
TOLL REMOVAL EFFORTS
There are three agencies connected to the operation of SR 125 Toll Road: City of Chula Vista, SANDAG, and Caltrans. Actions by each of the agencies is required to eliminate tolls on SR 125:
1) SANDAG and Caltrans would have to support actions to retire SR 125 toll road debt and transition to away from a toll-only state highway;
2) Funding would be needed for the delta between SANDAG reserves and outstanding bond balance in fiscal year 2026-27; and
3) Caltrans would need to assume control of the road before end of franchise lease.
7 | P a g e
Over the past couple of years, the City has been making incremental steps toward these goal s in collaboration with Caltrans, SANDAG and the State Legislature.
At the March 26, 2021, SANDAG Board of Directors meeting, former Board Member and Chula Vista Mayor Mary Casillas Salas requested that the Audit Committee direct the Office of the Independent Performance Auditor (OIPA) to perform an audit on SR 125 Toll Road. Specifically, Mayor Salas’s request include d the period covering 2017 to 2020 to determine the following:
• A review all positions charged to the SR 125 Fund.
• Determination of personnel costs being charged to the SR 125 fund and if the charges are reasonable and appropriate.
• Determination if there is an appropriate allocation of CalPERS and OPEB pension cost alloc ated to the SR 125 Fund.
• A review of overhead allocations attributed to the SR 125 Fund to determine appropriate share of costs.
• Identification of expenditures of SR 125 funds for allocations to CIP projects outside of the SR 125 site and if the use was appropriate.
• Determination of proper allocation of interest earned to the SR 125 Fund.
After reviewing the request, the IPA determined that they would conduct a review to provide all the requested information. The OPIA issued its report in October 2021 (Attachment 1). This was only a review; the office did not perform an audit and therefore no opinion was expressed.
In January 2022, the Chula Vista City Council adopted a Resolution 2022 -030 (Attachment 2) requesting SANDAG exercise its option to pay off SR 125 Toll Road debt in 2027 and take all other actions necessary to revert control of the SR 125 to Caltrans in 2027.
Around the same time, City staff, together with our legislative consultants at Nielsen Merksamer, began engaging with former Senator Ben Hueso regarding legislation and funding needed to retire the debt on the SR 125 Toll Road. Former Senator Hueso introduced SB 1169 which would have amended state law to remove the authority SANDAG currently has to assess t olls upon debt elimination. The bill also sought funding to assist SANDAG with gap funding which at the time was $35 million . Although the bill did not make it out of committee, $20 million in state f unding was secured through the State Budget for SANDAG specifically to reduce the outstanding bond balance of the SR 125 Fund to support efforts to eliminate bond debt by 2027. SANDAG has confirmed they have received these funds and are being held in a restricted reserve accruing interest. In response to an inquiry by Board Member Carolina Chavez, SANDAG officials reported interest earnings totaling $85,581 for fiscal year 2023-24 thus far.
In fiscal year 202 6-27, SANDAG will have its first opportunity to call its current bonds. If the debt is eliminated early, SANDAG would save over $73 million in borrowing costs from 2027 through 2042 and tolling would no longer be required. The franchise agreement could be terminated early and control and maintenance responsibility reverted to Caltrans. According to the most recent data provided by SANDAG, it is estimated there will be a $19.3 million gap between the payoff amount and projected cash balances in 2027. This is after application of the $20 million in state funding that is being held by SANDAG.
8 | P a g e
At SANDAG’s May 27, 2022, Board of Directors meeting former Board Member and Chula Vista Mayor Mary Casillas Salas requested a future agenda item be scheduled to consider a proposed resolution to eliminate debt and toll -only operations on SR 125 as early as 2027. The resolution was presented to the Board of Directors on July 8 , 2022, where it was adopted unanimously by the members present. The r esolution affirmed the Board’s policy directives, among them:
1. Declared that elimination of debt and toll-only operations on the SR 125 is a priority;
2. Supported efforts to evaluate alternatives to toll-only operations (including managed lanes) for the SR 125;
3. Supported controlling planned operating and capital expenses in order to increase available reserve cash balances sufficient to retire the outstanding bond debt or minimize the need for additional funds to retire the remaining bond balance;
4. Supports collaborating with the City of Chula Vista and Caltrans regarding Senate Bill 1169; and
5. Directed staff to conduct a Comprehensive Multimodal Corridor Plan to analyze future options for the SR 125, develop a plan to pay off outstanding debt as early as 2027, make the SR 125 consistent with the Regional Plan, and develop strategies to revert control of the SBX to Caltrans fo llowing debt retirement.
ONGOING OPERATIONAL CHALLENGES
Operation of the SR 125 toll facilities has had its challenges throughout the years with concerns over tolling equipment, accuracy of tolling transactions, and overall effectiveness of several contractors working on the tolling operation.
Several media stories below detail some of the concerns:
www.sandiegouniontribune.com/local/story/2022-04-19/bay-toll-stations-sandag https://timesofsandiego.com/politics/2023/11/17/thousands-mischarged-on-the-125-south-bay-toll- road-fired-sandag-exec-alleges-in-suit/
9 | P a g e
www.sandiegouniontribune.com/news/watchdog/story/2023-12-13/vargas-other-sandag-board- leaders-promise-action-on-flawed-state-route-125-toll-system www.sandiegouniontribune.com/news/watchdog/story/2024-01-12/sandag-brings-in-new-contractor- to-take-over-south-bay-expressway-tolling-contract
STATUS OF SANDAG BOARD DIRECTIVES AND NEXT STEPS
The elimination of debt and toll-only operations of the SR 125 Toll Road is currently the City’s top priority in the 2023-2024 Legislative Platform.
City staff had been working with SANDAG on the procurement of a contractor to develop a Comprehensive Multimodal Corridor Plan and conduct a toll analysis. This work is on pause until next year to allow for the transition of the back-office system.
City staff also will continue working with Caltrans to better understand any issues or concerns related to the early termination of the franchise agreement and reversion of operations and maintenance responsibility to the state. Caltrans has raised concerns about the unforeseen costs of maintaining the road about 15 years earlier than anticipated. These efforts may result in further requests for assistance from the state.
ATTACHMENTS
1. OIPA Report- October 2021
2. City Follow Up Letter to OIPA Report (12-13-2021)
3. City Council Resolution 2022-030
4. SANDAG Resolution 2023-022
5. SANDAG 2025 Regional Plan- Initial Concept (SANDAG in process of modifying)
THE OFFICE OF THE INDEPENDENT PERFORMANCE AUDITOR
October 22, 2021
Chair Zito,
SANDAG Audit Committee
Mayor Casillas Salas,
SANDAG Board of Directors Member
Subject: Independent Performance Auditor’s Report on Applying Agreed Upon Procedures for SR 125
Dear Chair Zito and Mayor Casillas Salas:
As a member of the SANDAG Board of Directors, you requested that the Office of the Independent Performance Audito r (OIPA) review all monies collected and expended by the SR 125 Fund in 2017 through 2020 and determine whether they were reasonable, appropriate, and proportionately allocated. The request resulted from efforts to find additional saving s that could be app lied toward paying off related debt earlier than currently scheduled.
Objective
The overall objective of this Agreed-Upon Procedures (AUP) engagement is to determine whether SR 125 Fund charges and expenditures from July 1, 2017 to June 30, 202 0 are appropriate, reasonable, and proportionately allocated.
This AUP engagement was conducted in accordance with attestation standards established by the American Institute of Certified Public Accountants. The sufficiency of these procedures is solely the responsibility of those parties specified in this report. The OIPA makes no representation regarding the sufficiency of the procedures for the purpose of which this report has been requested or for any other purpose.
This AUP does not constitute an audit, and we do not express an opinion on the specified elements, accounts, or items. In addition, we have no obligation to perform any procedures beyond those listed in the report that were designed to address your request.
Mayor Casillas Salas
SANDAG Board of Directors Member
Agreed Upon Procedures SR-125 Results
October 22, 2021
AN EMPHASIS ON ACCOUNTABILITY AND TRANSPARENCY
Procedure s and Results
Auditors performed procedures to obtain the information for the six specific items requested in your memo. The results of these procedures, as well as any professional judgements the auditors rendered regarding the appropriateness and reasonability of allocations or charges, are presented after each procedure.
Request Item 1 :
Identify all positions charged to the SR 125 Fund.
Procedure :
Auditors identified the positions charged to SR 125 from payroll files provided by SANDAG.
Results:
Table 1 below shows the number of employees working at the Toll Operations Center (TOC), as well as the number of employees working at other locations who charged time to the SR 125 Fund.
Table 1 – Employees Billed to SR 125 Fund
Fiscal Year
2018
Fiscal Year
2019
Fiscal Year
2020
Employees Located at TOC1
72 75
73 Employees at Other Locations who Charged Time to
SR 125
65 74
78 Employees working on SR 125 are located at TOC, whereas employees who work at other locations only devote a portion of their time to SR 125 matters. The figures shown in Table 1 do not include temporary employees whose costs were billed to the SR 125 Fund.
Temporary employees were hired through staffing companies, and their costs are included in Table 2.
1 Note that these figures may be overstated due to a limitation in SANDAG’s hiring and payroll system:
Employees who initially worked at TOC but later transferred to other locations retain TOC as their coded work location. However, OIPA confirmed that the status does not impact the cost element of SR125.
Mayor Casillas Salas
SANDAG Board of Directors Member
Agreed Upon Procedures SR-125 Results
October 22, 2021
AN EMPHASIS ON ACCOUNTABILITY AND TRANSPARENCY
Request Item 2:
Determine all personnel costs being charged to the SR 125 Fund and if the charges are reasonable and appropriate.
Procedure:
Auditors totaled all personnel costs charged to the SR 125 Fund from payroll files provided by SANDAG. Auditors compared personnel costs to those reported in South Bay Expressway’s2 audited financial statements to determine if c harges are reasonable and appropriate; as a reminder, auditors did not perform an audit on documents provided by SANDAG management or staff.
Results:
Table 2 below presents labor expenses charged to the SR 125 Fund for SANDAG employees working at the TOC and at other SANDAG locations. It also identifies expenses for temporary employees who are hired through staffing agencies, as well as labor charges that are capitalized.
Table 2 – Labor Costs Charged to the SR 125 Fund
Fiscal Year
2018
Fiscal Year
2019
Fiscal Year
2020
Labor Expenses for Employees at TOC $4,595,117 $5,111,477 $5,274,630
Labor Expenses for Employees at Other Locations
$790,603
$1,089,112
$1,693,846
Costs for Temporary Employees
$262,086
$176,614
$72,958
Capitalized Labor Charges
$494,513
$532,497
$438,466
Labor expenses for SANDAG employees include salaries and fringe benefits. Fringe benefits
2 Although SR125 and the South Bay Expressway differ, their financial information is similar in that the financial statements are prepared and audited separately before being combined into SANDAG's financial statements as enterprise funds.
Mayor Casillas Salas
SANDAG Board of Directors Member
Agreed Upon Procedures SR-125 Results
October 22, 2021
AN EMPHASIS ON ACCOUNTABILITY AND TRANSPARENCY
encompass pension and other postemployment benefit costs, and they are addressed in the procedure for Request Item 3.
According to SANDAG management, temporary employees are mainly used to support the customer service and toll operations work areas. Temporary employees frequently fill positions for regular employees who have taken a leave of absence, and also fill vacant positions until permanent candidates are hired. Less frequently, temporary employees are retained to help address increases in administrative workload and clear work backlogs.
While employee salaries and related costs are usually classified as period costs according to generally accepted accounting principles, they can be classified as capital costs if they are related to the construction of an asset. In such a case, these costs are not expensed; rather, they are added to the cost of the asset, and later depreciated over the life of the asset.
Table 3 compares the figures in Table 2 to those from audited financial statements for the SR 125 Fund.
Table 3 – Variance Between Payroll and Financial Statement Figures for Labor Costs Charged to the SR 125 Fund
Fiscal Year
2018
Fiscal Year
2019
Fiscal Year
2020
Payroll and Other Compensation Expenses
(per Audited Financial Statements)
$6,106,156 $6,705,241 $7,698,183
Totals from Payroll files
$6,142,319
$6,909,700
$7,479,901
Variance amount
$36,163
$204,459
$218,282
Variance percentage
0.6%
3.0%
2.9%
While there are variances between the total amounts in the payroll files and the audited Mayor Casillas Salas
SANDAG Board of Directors Member
Agreed Upon Procedures SR-125 Results
October 22, 2021
AN EMPHASIS ON ACCOUNTABILITY AND TRANSPARENCY
financial statements, these differences can be explained by timing differences3.
Based on the auditor s’ review of payroll files, the comparison in Table 3, and discussions with SANDAG management, it appears that personnel costs charged to SR 125 are appropriate.
3 The start and end dates for the first and last pay period in a fiscal year generally do not coincide with the start and end dates of the fiscal year. A payroll period is two weeks long and runs from Sunday to Saturday. The start and end dates for SANDAG’s fiscal year are July 1 and June 30, respectively.
Mayor Casillas Salas
SANDAG Board of Directors Member
Agreed Upon Procedures SR-125 Results
October 22, 2021
AN EMPHASIS ON ACCOUNTABILITY AND TRANSPARENCY
Request Item 3:
Determine appropriate allocation of CalPERS and Other Post-Employment Benefit (OPEB) pension cost allocated to the SR 125 Fund.
Procedure:
Auditors totaled fringe benefit amounts (which include pension and OPEB costs ) from payroll reports provided by SANDAG, reviewed fringe benefit rates, and reviewed audited financial statements and related actuarial reports.
Results:
Table 4 below presents fringe benefit costs charged to the SR 125 Fund for employees working at the TOC and at other SANDAG locations.
Table 4 – Fringe ( Pension and OPEB ) Costs Charged to the SR 125 Fund Per Payroll Reports
Fringe Rate or Range
Percentage of Fringe
Benefits Paid at This
Rate
Fringe Amount
Fiscal Year 2018 5.36% - 28.70% 0.44% $9,324
67.47% - 67.66% 22.37% $474,000
73.67% - 73.68% 77.19% $1,635,155
$2,118,479
Fiscal Year 2019 1.80% - 42.39% 0.68% $17,924
75.71% - 76.47% 24.56% $645,973
88.68% 74.75% $1,965,859
$2,629,756
Fiscal Year 2020 1.51% - 40.95% 0.08% $2,295
75.65% - 75.76% 29.87% $855,985
88.29% - 88.39% 70.05% $2,007,737
$2,866,018
Although the audited financial statements for SR 125 (AKA and titled SBX) include payroll and other compensation expenses, these expenses are aggregated and do not separately show pension and OPEB payments.
Mayor Casillas Salas
SANDAG Board of Directors Member
Agreed Upon Procedures SR-125 Results
October 22, 2021
AN EMPHASIS ON ACCOUNTABILITY AND TRANSPARENCY
Management also provided us with two actuarial reports for SANDAG. The first is GASB No. 75 Actuarial Valuation that pertains to OPEB liabilities, and the second is GASB No. 68 Actuarial Valuation that pertains to pension liabilities. GASB No. 75 report was prepared by an actuarial consulting firm, and GASB No. 68 report is issued by CalPERS. These reports are required by the respective Government Accounting Standards Board (GASB) statements.
SANDAG management also provided the OIPA’s office with supporting schedules for those reports. However, a review of these schedules was not possible due to the budget hours allotted for this AUP engagement.
Based on the auditors’ review and assuming the unaudited Indirect Cost Rate Proposal (ICRP) and Overhead rate calculations are accurate and reliable, the fringe benefit amounts appear appropriate.
Request Item 4:
Review overhead allocations to the SR 125 Fund to determine appropriate share of costs.
Procedure:
Auditors reviewed payroll reports provided by SANDAG , totaled overhead costs, and verified overhead rates charged to the SR 125 Fund.
Results:
Table 5 below presents overhead costs charged to the SR 125 Fund for employees working at the TOC and at other SANDAG locations.
Table 5 – Overhead Cost Allocations Charged to the SR 125 Fund
Fiscal Year 2018
Fiscal Year 2019
Fiscal Year 2020
Overhead Expenses4
$267,890
$434,268
$692,552
4 The payroll files provided by SANDAG showed overhead charges for eleven employees located at the TOC. The OIPIA’s office reviewed these charges to understand why there were overhead charges associated with employees working at the TOC. Eight of these employees had worked at the TOC but later moved to different positions at other SANDAG locations; the remaining three were managers who had divided their time between the TOC and other locations. SANDAG’s curren t payroll system is not configured to recode employees who initially worked at TOC but later transfer to other locations.
Mayor Casillas Salas
SANDAG Board of Directors Member
Agreed Upon Procedures SR-125 Results
October 22, 2021
AN EMPHASIS ON ACCOUNTABILITY AND TRANSPARENCY
Overhead rates represent an allocation of general and administrative costs. According to SANDAGs’ management, they are computed as a fixed percentage of an employee’s hourly pay (excluding fringe benefits). As noted below, the TOC is specifically excluded from the ICAP. However, SANDAG uses the same overhead rate as the Indirect Cost Allocation Plan (ICAP) for purpose of internal cost recovery. The overhead rates in the ICAP for fiscal years 2018, 2019, and 2020 were 76.87 percent, 78.26 percent, and 78.65 percent, respectively.
The OIPA’s office verified that these were the rates used in the payroll file which SANDAG provided.
Note that m ost indirect costs that SANDAG recovers are through reimbursements from federal grants. To recover indirect costs, SANDAG is required to prepare and submit an ICAP.
The ICAP establishes indirect cost rates – which encompass employee pension and benefit costs – and provides a detailed report of SANDAG’s methodology for calculating indirect costs. The ICAP is intended to ensure compliance with federal cost allocation requirements.
In the past, the ICAP has been self-prepared and reported, reviewed, and approved by the California Department of Transportation (Caltrans), but it has not been audited by Caltrans or another external party. The ICAP was identified as a high -risk area during the organization-wide risk assessment conducted by the OIPA and inclu ded in the FY 2021 annual audit plan. Although the OIPA did not have sufficient resources to audit the ICAP this fiscal year, SANDAG management informed the OIPA that the Federal Transit Administration is currently auditing the ICAP.
Based on the auditors’ review of overhead charges, these charges appear appropriate.
Mayor Casillas Salas
SANDAG Board of Directors Member
Agreed Upon Procedures SR-125 Results
October 22, 2021
AN EMPHASIS ON ACCOUNTABILITY AND TRANSPARENCY
Request Item 5:
Identify expenditures and compliance for allocations to CIP projects outside of the SR 125 site, if any.
Procedure:
Auditors reviewed budget document s, expenditure reports, and project agreements for Capital Improvement Projects (CIP) allocated to the SR 125 Fund.
Results:
SANDAG management provided auditors with a listing of five projects funded from SR 125 revenues, as well as a summary of expenditures from these projects. As a reminder these projects and associated cost were not audited by OIPA. These projects are presented in Table
6. Table 6 – Capital Improvement Project Costs Charged to the SR 125 Fund
Project
No.
Project Name
Budgeted Funding
from SR 125
Revenues
Total
Expended5
1130102
Financial System Upgrade – Contract
Management System
$50,000
$37,332
1142600
Joint Transportation Operations Center
1,553,000
$64,382
1201103
SR 11 and Otay Mesa East Port of Entry:
Segment 2A and SR 905/125/11 Southbound
Connectors Construction
$16,700,000
$5,324,410
1280504
South Bay Bus Rapid Transit (BRT)
$6,500,000
$6,500,000
1390505
SR 905/125/11 Southbound Connector
$19,200,000
$5,893,951
5 As of June 30, 2020.
Mayor Casillas Salas
SANDAG Board of Directors Member
Agreed Upon Procedures SR-125 Results
October 22, 2021
AN EMPHASIS ON ACCOUNTABILITY AND TRANSPARENCY
CIP projects are funded by a combination of federal, state, and local revenues. Federal grants and some state funding programs impose a matching requirement on grant recipients. The matching requirement obligates recipients to contribute a percentage of project costs as a condition of grant funding. Table 7 shows the percentage of funding from SR 125 revenues for each project as a percentage of total project cost.6
Table 7 – Perc entage of Capital Improvement Project Costs Budgeted From the SR 125 Fund
Project
No.
Project Name
Budgeted
Funding from SR
125 Revenues
Total Project
Cost
Percent from
SR 125
1130102
Financial System Upgrade –
Contract Management System
$50,000
$1,052,000
4.8 %
1142600
Joint Transportation Operations
Center
$1,553,000
$14,518,000
10.7 %
1201103
SR 11 and Otay Mesa East Port of
Entry: Segment 2A and SR
905/125/11 Southbound
Connectors Construction
$16,700,000
$132,047,000
12.6 %
1280504
South Bay Bus Rapid Transit
(BRT)
$6,500,000
$123,672,000
5.3 %
1390505
SR 905/125/11 Southbound
Connector
$19,200,000
$68,947,000
27.8 %
For several federal funding programs, the State’s role is to simply pass federal funds to local agencies through grants or according to apportionment formulas. However, on some CIP projects, the State receives local funds from SANDAG. A Master Agreement between SANDAG and Caltrans provides a framework for collaborative agreements between the two
6 Note that the percentages in Table 7 do not correspond to federal match requirements, as additional local funding may also be provided by other local agencies or from other SANDAG sources.
Mayor Casillas Salas
SANDAG Board of Directors Member
Agreed Upon Procedures SR-125 Results
October 22, 2021
AN EMPHASIS ON ACCOUNTABILITY AND TRANSPARENCY
agencies. The Master Agreement allows for the transfer of funding between the two agencies and defines the working relationship between them. Specific agreements are effected through Project Implementation Orders.
According to SANDAG management, grants that impose a matching requirement on SANDAG do not specify SANDAG’s revenue source.
OIPA auditors attempted to gather evidence that supports the percentage allocated to SR125 and was unable to obtain support. According to SANDAG management t he proportion of funding allocated to the SR 125 Fund and other SANDAG revenue sources is a SANDAG management decision, made within funding eligibility requirements and based on levels of funding available.7
SANDAG’s compliance with federal grant funding requirements is audited annually as part of SANDAG’s Comprehensive Annual Financial Report audit. Auditors reviewed these audit reports and noted no compliance issues.
Request Item 6:
Determine proper allocation of interest earned to the SR 125 Fund.
Procedure :
Auditors reviewed budget documents and audited financial statements.
Results:
Interest income for fiscal yeas 2018, 2019, and 2020 is show in Table 8.
Table 8 – Interest Earned by SR 125 Fund
Fiscal Year 2018
Fiscal Year 2019
Fiscal Year 2020
Interest Income as Reported on the South
Bay Expressway’s Audited Financial
Statements
$1,077,968
$1,856,826
$1,310,907
SANDAG’s management asserted that the SR 125 Fund does not allocate its interest income
7 The decision is implicitly approved by SANDAG’s Board of Directors (Board) when the Board approves SANDAG’s Program Budget.
Mayor Casillas Salas
SANDAG Board of Directors Member
Agreed Upon Procedures SR-125 Results
October 22, 2021
AN EMPHASIS ON ACCOUNTABILITY AND TRANSPARENCY
to other locations; that interest income generated by SR 125 bank and trustee accounts is entirely allocated to the SR 125; and that the SR 125 cash is segregated to the specific roadway alone. All interest income generated stays in the trustee and bank accounts and is utilized for future purchases solely related to the SR 125 roadway.
Restricted use: This report is intended solely for the information and use as determined by the Mayor Casillas Salas and the SANDAG Board of Directors and is not intended to be and should not be used by anyone other than the specified parties.
The OIPA would like to thank the Chief Executive Officer, Hasan Ikhrata and SANDAG management and staff for their professionalism, responsiveness, and cooperation during this inquiry.
If you have additional questions, please contact me at (619) 595 -5323 or [email protected].
Respectfully,
MARY E. KHOSHMASHRAB, MSBA, CPA
Independent Performance Auditor
Office of the Independent Performance
Auditor SANDAG
cc: Members of the Board of Directors (SANDAG)
Members of the Audit Committee (SANDAG)
Hasan Ikhrata, Executive Director (SANDAG)
Andre Douzdjian, Chief Financial Officer (SANDAG)
OIPA Files/Website
DocuSign Envelope ID: B008OC72- 30D4- 43BC- 8362- 9AEB9A217CE6 RESOLUTION NO. 2022- 030
RESOLUTION OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF
CHULA VISTA REQUESTING THAT THE SAN DIEGO
ASSOCIATION OF GOVERNMENTS' EXERCISE ITS OPTION
TO PAY OFF SR- 125 TOLL ROAD DEBT IN 2027 AND TAKE
ALL OTHER ACTIONS NECESSARY TO REVERT CONTROL
OF THE SR- 125 TO THE CALIFORNIA DEPARTMENT OF
TRANSPORTATION IN 2027 FOR ITS OPERATION AS A
FREEWAY
WHEREAS, opened in 2007, South Bay Expressway( SBX) Toll Road is a ten-mile stretch of State Route 125 (SR 125) that runs from Otay Mesa Road near State Route 905 to SR 54; and WHEREAS, the San Diego Association of Governments ( SANDAG) purchased the SR- 125 franchise from Creditors, including the U. S. Department of Transportation, following bankruptcy in December 2011; and
WHEREAS, the SBX owned by Caltrans and leased by SANDAG, operates as a toll road pursuant to the Amended and Restated Development Franchise Agreement ( ARDFA) with the Stateof California, which is the agreementgoverning the day-to-day operations; and WHEREAS, currently, under the ARDFA, control of SBX will revert to Caltrans in November of 2042; and
WHEREAS, South Bay residents gave up expansion of the 1-805 when SANDAG purchased the SBX, making it the only toll road in the County of San Diego; and WHEREAS, in Fiscal Year 2027, SANDAG will havean opportunity to call its debtbonds; and
WHEREAS, existing tolls place anundue and disproportionate burden on South Bay users and hinder the City' s economic development activity in areas such as business attraction and retention; and
WHEREAS, the SBX connects the only commercial port of entry in SanDiego and Otay Mesa, the largest area of industrial- zoned land in San Diego County, to the regional freeway network, therefore making the elimination of tolls a benefit to the region, state, and nation; and WHEREAS, the SANDAG Board has the authority to make the retirement of the debt a budgetary priority and goal becauseany other system, other than elimination of tolls, would place undue burden to the South Bay and would further exacerbatethe inequities in our community.
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED, that the City Council of the City of Chula Vista requests that the San Diego Association of Governments' exercise its option to pay off SR- 125 Toll Road debt in 2027 and take all other actions necessaryto revert control of the SR- 125to the California Department of Transportation in 2027 for its operation as a freeway.
DocuSign Envelope ID: B008OC72- 30D4- 43BC- 8362- 9AEB9A217CE6 Resolution No. 2022- 030
Page No. 2
Presented by Approved as to form by
DocuSigned by: DocuSigned by:
E,0626FD7C0386456... CF406508504446F...
Mary Casillas Salas Glen R. Googins
Mayor City Attorney
PASSED, APPROVED, and ADOPTED by the City Council of the City of Chula Vista, California, this 25th day of January2022 by the following vote:
AYES: Councilmembers: Cardenas, Galvez, McCann, Padilla and Casillas Salas NAYS: Councilmembers: None
ABSENT: Councilmembers: None
DocuSigned by:
062BFD7C0386456...
Mary Casillas Salas, Mayor
ATTEST:
E
3DocuSig1ned
by:
c..
3074D104EAF342E...
Kerry K. Bigelow, MMC, City Clerk
STATE OF CALIFORNIA
COUNTY OF SAN DIEGO )
CITY OF CHULA VISTA
I, Kerry K. Bigelow, City Clerk of Chula Vista, California, do hereby certify that the foregoing Resolution No. 2022-030 was duly passed, approved, and adopted by the City Council at aregular meeting of the Chula Vista City Council held on the 25th day of January 2022.
Executed this 25th day of January 2022.
EDocuSigned by:
I,
30746104FAF342F...
Kerry K. Bigelow, MMC, City Clerk
401 B Street, Suite 800
San Diego, CA 92101
Phone (619) 699-1900
Fax (619) 699-1905
sandag.org
Resolution No. 2023-22
Resolution of the San Diego Association of Governments
(SANDAG) Declaring Support of Eliminating the Debt and
Toll-only Operations on the SR-125 by 2027
WHEREAS, the South Bay Expressway (SBX) Toll Road, opened in 2007, is a ten -mile stretch of State Route 125 (SR-125) that runs from Otay Mesa Road near State Route 905 to SR 54; and
WHEREAS, the San Diego Association of Governments (SANDAG) purchased the S R-125 franchise from creditors, including the U.S. Department of Transportation, following bankruptcy in December 2011; and
WHEREAS, the SBX, owned by Caltrans and leased by SANDAG, operates as a toll road pursuant to the Amended and Restated Development Franchise Agreement (ARDFA) with the State of California until 2042, which is the agreement governing the day-to-day operations; and WHEREAS, purchasing the toll road with the intent of removing the tolls in future years meant SANDAG could reduce the number of additional lanes planned for Interstate 805 through the South Bay and instead divert that savings to the purchase of the toll road; and WHEREAS, the City of Chula Vista (City) partnered with the State of California and Caltrans in 2003 and dedicated 270 acres of right-of-way to the State for the development of SR-125; and WHEREAS, per ARDFA Section 11.4, SANDAG has the obligation to arrange for retirement of the debt and will have an opportunity to call its debt bonds and eliminate toll -only operations as early as 2027; and
WHEREAS, it is important that toll-only facilities not place an undue and disproportionate burden on South Bay users or hinder the City's economic development activity in areas such as business attraction and retention; and
WHEREAS, the new U.S./Mexico border crossing in Otay Mesa facilitates more than $53 0 billion in bilateral trade on an annual basis; and
WHEREAS, the new U.S. border crossing will connect to State Route 11 immediately south of the SBX and is anticipated to reduce wait times throughout the San Diego regional U.S./Mexico border crossing network, supporting further economic integration and activity in the border region; and WHEREAS, a reliable north-south freeway corridor with toll free options will contribute to the bilateral trade with Mexico while providing social justice, environmental and financial benefits to the region, state and country; and
WHEREAS, the SANDAG Board of Directors has the authority to make the retirement of the debt a budgetary priority and goal.
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED, that the SANDAG Board of Directors:
1. Prioritizes principles of the Regional Plan and California State Transportation Agency’s Climate Action Plan for Transportation Infrastructure on the SR-125
2. Declares that elimination of debt and toll-only operations on the SR-125 is a priority;
3. Supports efforts to evaluate alternatives to toll-only operations (including managed lanes) for the SR-125;
4. Supports controlling planned operating and capital expenses in order to increase available reserve cash balances sufficient to retire the outstanding bond debt or minimize the need for additional funds to retire the remaining bond balance;
5. Supports collaborating with the City of Chula Vista and Caltrans on these efforts; and
6. Hereby directs staff to conduct a Comprehensive Multimodal Corridor Plan to analyze future options for the SR-125, develop a plan to pay off outstanding debt as early as 2027, make the SR-125 consistent with the Regional Plan, and develop strategies to revert control of the SBX to Caltrans following debt retirement.
PASSED AND ADOPTED this 8th of July 2022.
Attest:
Chair Secretary
Member Agencies: Cities of Carlsbad, Chula Vista, Coronado, Del Mar, El Cajon, Encinitas, Escondido, Imperial Beach, La Mesa, Lemon Grove, National City, Oceanside, Poway, San Diego, San Marcos, Santee, Solana Beach, Vista, and County of San Diego.
Advisory Members: California Department of Transportation, Metropolitan Transit System, North County Transit District, Imperial County, U.S. Department of Defense, Port of San Diego, San Diego County Water Authority, Southern California Tribal Chairmen’s Association, and Mexico.
2025 Regional Plan Project Type Glossary
Arterial Improvement
Helps a high-traffic neighborhood street
connect to a freeway more efficiently.
Bus Layover
Designated area where buses can wait
between trips so drivers can take breaks,
and where vehicles can be fueled,
charged, or cleaned.
Circulator Route
A bus that comes frequently and
stops at major local destinations in a
specific area.
Connector
A ramp that connects one highway
to another.
Direct Access Ramp (DAR)
A special highway entrance where buses,
carpoolers, or people who pay a toll can
directly enter managed lanes without
having to merge from the right side.
Express Route
Bus routes that connect suburban areas
to major urban centers that have very
few stops at major destinations.
Highway Intersection
Improvements
Improves safety, and traffic flow in places
where a highway crosses a major road.
Highway Straightening
Removes curves from highways.
Interchange
Where a freeway and a major road or
other freeway cross each other.
LOSSAN Improvements
Making the railway that connects
San Diego to Los Angeles and
San Luis Obispo safer, faster and
more efficient.
Local Route
A bus route that travels around
neighborhoods that are near one
another.
Managed Lanes (ML)
Separated highway lanes set aside
for multi-passenger transportation like
buses or carpools, or for people who
pay a toll.
Managed Lane Connector
Ramps that connect managed lanes on
different freeways.
Microtransit
On-demand public shuttle service for
short trips within a neighborhood.
Mobility Hub
An area where different types of
transportation connect easily (ex. public
transit, bike lanes, or shuttles) to housing
and commercial areas.
Multimodal Corridor Improvements
Projects that make all transportation on
the same route more efficient, including
walking, biking, transit, trains, and/or
vehicles.
Neighborhood Electric Vehicle
(NEV) Service
Small, on-demand electric shuttle
available for short trips in a small area
(ex. FRED San Diego).
Otay Mesa East Port of Entry
(OME POE)
A new U.S./Mexico border crossing.
Purple Line
Future transit route connecting the
border region to University Town Center
(UTC) and Sorrento Mesa.
Rapid Bus
A bus route that gets priority in
high-traffic areas to speed up trips.
Reversible Managed Lanes
A managed lane that can change traffic
direction depending on the time of day
or traffic conditions.
Shoulder Widening
Project that widens pavement on the
side of a freeway for safety in case of
emergencies.
Train and Trolley Improvements
(ex. on the Blue, Green, or Orange
Line, SPRINTER, or COASTER) Projects
that make rail trips more efficient: for
example, separating rail tracks from car
traffic with a bridge.
1 Initial Concept for the Draft 2025 Regional Plan: San Diego Region 83 14
71 46
1 1
2 10
4 3
12 38
2 27
4133
36 10899
95 37
42 2831
43 107
97 98
34 35
102
67 89
54 105
29 26
109
106
30 4445
94 48
92 86
62 70
110
79 24
45 82
17 17
18 72
47 39
50 53
59 65
113
77 8
25 8
7 101
100
23 7
44 9
8 15
15 15
15 5
63 64
52 75
49 56
60 61
55 93
16 1616
6 11
19 22
88 90
13 76 104
15 58
10 96
68 91 45
83 51
66 5774
82 80
85 84
81 78
69 73
21 40
87 103
111
112
20 32
S22
S22
S2
S2
D R AF T
0 4 8 12 16
KI LOM E TE R S
0 3 6 9 12
M I LE S
Riverside County
Orange County
y t n u o C l a i r e p m I
UNITED STATES
MEXICO
Chula
Vista
Coronado
Del Mar
Encinitas
Escondido
Imperial
Beach
Oceanside
County of San Diego
San
Diego
Solana
Beach
Vista
Lemon
Gr ove
National
City
La
Mesa
Carlsbad
San
Marcos
Poway
Santee
El Cajon
Camp Pendleton
Alpine
Boulevard
Campo
Descanso
Dulzura
Jacumba
Jamul
Mount Laguna
Pine Valley
Potrero
Tecate
Bonsall
Borrego
Springs
Fallbrook
Lakeside
Ramona
Santa Ysabel
Valley Center
Warner Springs
Julian
Spring
Valley
Tijuana, B.C.
Tecate, B.C.
Bonita
Manzanita
Reservation
Ewiiaapaayp
Reservation
La Posta
Reservation
Sycuan
Reservation
Barona
Reservation
Capitan Grande
Reservation
Inaja - Cosmit
Reservation
Mesa Grande
Reservation
Santa Ysabel
Reservation
San Pasqual
Reservation
Rincon
Reservation
Pala
Reservation
Pechanga
Reservation
Los Coyotes
Reservation
Pauma and Yuima
Reservation
La Jolla
Reservation
Viejas
Reservation
Jamul
Indian Village Campo
Reservation
By 2035 2036-2050
Microtransit and
NEV Service Areas
1 I-5 Managed Lanes
2 I-15 Managed Lanes
3 I-805 Managed Lanes
4 I-8 Managed Lanes
5 SR 52 Managed Lanes*
6 SR 94 Managed Lanes
7 SR 56 Managed Lanes
8 SR 78 Managed Lanes
9 SR 163 Managed Lanes
See reverse for Additional Map Information | * Includes addition of truck climbing lane 10 SR 54 Managed Lanes
11 SR 905 Managed Lanes
12 SR 125 Managed Lanes
13 SR 11 Roadway Connection to
Otay Mesa East POE
14 SR 67 Improvements
15 SR 76 Safety & Operational
Improvements
16 I-8 Interchange Improvements
17 SR 79 Intersection Improvements
18 SR 79 Shoulder Widening
19 SR 94 Shoulder Widening/
Straightening
20 SR 125/SR 94 Interchange/
Arterial Improvements
21 I-5/SR 78 Interchange/
Arterial Improvements
22 SR 94 Intersection Improvements
23 I-5/I-805 ML Connector
24 I-5/SR 78 ML Connector
25 I-15/SR 78 ML Connector
26 I-15/SR 52 ML Connectors
27 I-15/I-805 ML Connector
28 SR 94/I-805 ML Connector
29 I-805/SR 52 ML Connector
30 I-805/SR 163 ML Connector
31 I-15/SR 94 ML Connector
32 SR 125/SR 94 ML Connector
33 SR 75 Coronado Bridge
Reversible Managed Lane
34 Downtown Bus Layover
35 Airport Transit Connection
36 San Ysidro Mobility Hub
37 U.S.-Mexico Border Transit Connection
38 Otay Mesa East POE
39 Otay Mesa POE Truck Bridge to
Commercial Vehicle Enforcement
Facility
40 Harbor Dr Multimodal Corridor
Improvements
41 I-5 Working Waterfront Access
42 Vesta Bridge: Phase 1
43 Balboa Park Perimeter Streetcar
44 Purple Line
45 LOSSAN Improvements
46 SPRINTER Improvements
47 Blue Line Improvements
48 Orange Line Improvements
49 Green Line Improvements
50 Rapid 120: Kearny Mesa to
Downtown
51 Rapid 207: Pacific Beach to Kearny
Mesa
52 Rapid 209: H St Trolley Station to
Millennia
53 Rapid 210: La Mesa to Ocean Beach
54 Rapid 211: SDSU to Downtown via
Adams Ave
55 Rapid 212: Spring Valley to Downtown
56 Rapid 215: SDSU to Downtown
57 Rapid 225: SOuth Bay Rapid
58 Rapid 227: Otay Mesa East POE to
Imperial Beach
59 Rapid 228: Point Loma to Kearny Mesa
60 Rapid 229: Downtown to Pacific Beach
61 Rapid 230: Balboa Station to UTC
62 Rapid 235: Escondido to Downtown
63 Rapid 237: UC San Diego to Rancho
Bernardo
64 Rapid 238: UC San Diego to Rancho
Bernardo
65 Rapid 241: UCSD Hillcrest Medical
Center to UTC/UC San Diego
66 Rapid 243: Pacific Beach to
Kearny Mesa
67 Rapid 255: Downtown to Logan Heights
to Golden Hill to South Park to North
Park to University Heights to Hillcrest
68 Rapid 256: SDSU to Rancho San Diego/
Cuyamaca College
69 Rapid 259: El Cajon Transit Center to
Lemon Grove Depot
70 Rapid 265: Otay to Escondido
71 Rapid 280: Downtown San Diego to
Escondido
72 Rapid 290: Downtown San Diego to
Rancho Bernardo Transit Station
73 Rapid 292: El Cajon to Otay Mesa
74 Rapid 293: Imperial Beach to Otay
Ranch
75 Rapid 295: South Bay to Clairemont
76 Rapid 440: Carlsbad to Escondido
Transit Center
77 Rapid 450: Oceanside to Escondido
78 Rapid 471: Downtown Escondido to
East Escondido
79 Rapid 473: Oceanside to Solana Beach
to UTC/UC San Diego
80 Rapid 474: Oceanside to Vista
81 Rapid 477: Carlsbad Village to SR 76
82 Rapid 483: Commuter Express:
Riverside (Temecula) to Carlsbad
Poinstettia Station
83 Rapid 484: Carlsbad to Kearny Mesa
84 Rapid 485: Oceanside to Encinitas
85 Rapid 486: Oceanside to Carlsbad/
San Marcos
86 Rapid 625: SDSU to Palomar Station
87 Rapid 630: Iris Trolley/Palomar to
Kearny Mesa
88 Rapid 635: Eastlake to Palomar Trolley
89 Rapid 637: North Park to 32nd St
Trolley Station
90 Rapid 638: Iris Trolley to Otay Mesa
91 Rapid 640: San Ysidro to Santa Fe
Depot
92 Rapid 688: San Ysidro to UTC
93 Rapid 880: El Cajon to UC San Diego
94 Local Route 89: Solana Beach to UTC
95 Local Route 195: 8th St Trolley to Plaza
Bonita
96 Local Route 196: 8th St Trolley to Plaza
Blvd
97 Local Route 984: Mira Mesa to Sorrento
Valley
98 Express Route 77: Ramona to Poway
99 Express Route 121: Cross-Border Xpress
to Iris Transit Center
100 Express Route 246: Rancho Bernardo to
UC San Diego
101 Express Route 247: Escondido to
UC San Diego
102 Express Route 993: Shelter Island to
Convention Center
103 Circulator Route 193: Iris Transit Center
to San Ysidro High School
104 Circulator Route 449: Palomar College
area
105 Circulator Route 647: Mission Valley Loop
106 Circulator Route 648: Mission Valley Loop
107 Circulator Route 649: Kearny Mesa Loop
108 Circulator Route 661: Otay Mesa Loop
109 Circulator Route 668: Kearny Mesa Loop
110 Circulator Route 675: Rancho Bernardo
Business Park Loop
111 Circulator Route 715: Otay Ranch Loop
112 Circulator Route 716: Lower Otay Ranch
Loop
113 Circulator Route 985: UC San Diego
Shuttle
2 San Diego Region
Additional Map Information
Unmapped Projects
2025 Bike Network
Transit Frequency Enhancements
Transit Amenities & Mobility Hub Investments
(WiFi, restrooms, security)
Existing Network
Unmapped Policies
Climate (includes Zero-Emission Vehicle Infrastructure) Digital Equity
Fix it First
Habitat Conservation
Health
Housing & Land Use
Parking & Curb Management
Pricing Strategies
Transportation Demand Management
Transportation Technology & Operational Improvements
Vision Zero
Acroynms
ML = Managed Lane
NEV = Neighborhood Electric Vehicle
POE = Port of Entry
OME = Otay Mesa East
Recurring Feedback and Impact on the Concept
Across the region, people said they needed: What we’re considering (and much more, as seen on the map):
Local public transportation improvements to speed
up short neighborhood trips as well as regional
improvements to speed up commutes and other
longer trips in the short-term.
Prioritizing transit projects that can be made a reality in the next decade; adding more Rapid regional bus routes
and neighborhood circulator routes, along with increased service on local bus routes and projects to speed up
trolley trips.
Improved public transit that’s faster, more efficient,
safe, and reliable.
Funding for better transit amenities such as bathrooms, lighting, shelter, WiFi, and security; as well as funding to increase how often transit comes and adding some
expanded weekend and night service.
Highway improvements: adding lanes and
finishing highway connectors or improving existing
interchanges.
Setting aside key lanes and shoulders to move more
people at once in multi-passenger vehicles; this will
reduce traffic while supporting Rapid bus routes and
carpooling on these highways .
A safe network of bikeways throughout the region. Continuing to deliver key regional bikeway projects and expanding the bikeways across the region.
Pedestrian and cyclist paths that are protected when
crossing highways and major streets to safely access
key neighborhood destinations.
An active transportation network that includes
connections crossing over highways and major streets
that are safe for all ages and abilities.
Microtransit and shuttles for short trips and to
connect people to public transit stops, especially for
older adults and those that are transit dependent.
Adding more neighborhood shuttles and microtransit
that can connect people to common destinations and
transit stops.
Electric vehicle discounts and infrastructure. Continuing to support electric vehicle infrastructure and programs to incentivize people buying electric vehicles.
Projects that improve air quality and reduce
greenhouse gas emissions.
Prioritizing improvements to our transportation network that reduce pollution and emissions.
No regional road usage charge. No regional road useage charge; other flexible funding sources are proposed.
Make transportation more accessible and affordable
for people with disabilities, children and seniors, and for low-income households.
▶ Funding for transit amenities which can improve
access for those with disabilities
▶ Continued funding for free youth transit and studying expanded transit discounts
Better connections between different types of
transportation.
Planning ways to create seamless connections between
transportation modes such as safer biking and walking
paths, shuttles and microtransit, secure parking, and
e-charging stations
Safer roads and more transit options in rural,
unincorporated communities, and especially
providing emergency evacuation solutions.
▶ Exploring shoulder widening, reducing road curves,
and technology solutions to improve travel and
enhance safety in emergencies
▶ Planning further improvements to rural transit routes; new opportunities for community-based microtransit
services
3 San Diego Region residents told us they needed
safer roads, better connections between types of transportation, shuttles for short trips, safe bikeway and pedestrian paths, more EV infrastructure, completed highway connectors, improved interchanges, and solutions for emergency evacuation.
Initial Concept for the Draft 2025 Regional Plan: North County County of San Diego
Del Mar
Encinitas
Escondido
Oceanside
San Diego
Solana
Beach
Vista
Carlsbad
San Marcos
Poway
Rincon
Reservation
Pala
Reservation
Pauma and Yuima
Reservation
La Jolla
Reservation
San Pasqual
Reservation
Camp Pendleton
D R AF T
0 2 4
M I L E S
0 3 6
K I L O M E TE R S
2 44
54 42
45 3
29 30
18 33
14 15
12 11
10 49
48 58
46 57
48 47
4a 4b
16 53
56 59
5 6
55 9
7 20 8
13 22
60 1
43 40
19 17
49 27
34 37
50 51
26 25
24 31
28 36
23 32
21 38
35 39
41 53
By 2035 2036-2050
On-Street Bikeway
Off-Street Bikeway
On-Street & Off-Street Bikway
By 2035 2036-2050
Regional Rail
Light Rail
Next Gen Rapid
4 Managed Lanes
2 Managed Lanes
By 2035 2036-2050
Interchange/Arterial
Operational Impr ovements
Managed Lanes Connector
Intersection Improvements
Rural Corridor Improvements
Flexible Fleets
(Neighborhood Electric Vehicle (NEV))
or Microtransit)
Express Bus
Local Bus
Circulator
See reverse for detailed Managed Lanes Key and Additional Map Information 4 1 I-5 Managed Lanes: I-805 to SR 78
2 I-5 Managed Lanes: SR 78 to County Line
3 I-15 Managed Lanes: SR 78 to County Line
4a-b SR 56 Managed Lanes: I-5 to I-15
5 SR 78 Managed Lanes: I-5 to I-15
6 SR 67 Improvements: Mapleview St to
Dye Rd
7 SR 76 Straightening:
Rice Canyon Rd to Pala Reservation
8 SR 76 Shoulder Widening:
West Reservation Boundary to
East Reservation Boundary
9 SR 76 Improvements: SR 79 to
Valley Center Rd
10 SR 76 Straightening:
Harolds Rd to Pauma Rancho
11 SR 76 Intersection Improvements:
SR 76 to Pala Mission Rd
12 SR 76 Intersection Improvements:
SR 76 to Cole Grade Rd
13 SR 76 Intersection Improvement:
SR 76 to Pauma Reservation Rd
14 SR 76 Improvements: Pala Casino to
Rice Canyon Rd
15 SR 76 Safety: Shoulder Widening
16 I-5/I-805 ML Connector
17 I-5/SR 78 ML Connector
18 I-15/SR 78 ML Connector
19 I-5/SR 78 Interchange/
Arterial Improvements
20 SR 76 Safety: Dynamic Messaging Sign
21 LOSSAN Improvements
22 SPRINTER Improvements
23 Rapid 235: Escondido to Downtown
24 Rapid 237: UC San Diego to Rancho
Bernardo
25 Rapid 238: UC San Diego to Rancho
Bernardo
26 Rapid 265: Otay to Escondido
27 Rapid 280: Downtown San Diego to
Escondido
28 Rapid 290: Downtown San Diego to
Rancho Bernardo Transit Station
29 Rapid 440: Carlsbad to Escondido Transit
Center
30 Rapid 450: Oceanside to Escondido
31 Rapid 471: Downtown Escondido to
East Escondido
32 Rapid 473: Oceanside to Solana Beach to
UTC/UC San Diego
33 Rapid 474: Oceanside to Vista
34 Rapid 477: Carlsbad Village to SR 76
35 Rapid 483: Commuter Express: Riverside
(Temecula) to Carlsbad Poinstettia Station
36 Rapid 484: Carlsbad to Kearny Mesa
37 Rapid 485: Oceanside to Encinitas
38 Rapid 486: Oceanside to Carlsbad/
San Marcos
39 NEV Service Area: Oceanside
40 NEV Service Area: Escondido
41 NEV Service Area: Carlsbad Village
42 NEV Service Area: Encinitas
43 NEV Service Area: Cardiff
44 NEV Service Area: Solana Beach
45 NEV Service Area: Del Mar
46 Carlsbad Palomar Aiport Microtransit
47 Vista/San Marcos/County Microtransit
48 San Marcos Microtransit
49 Southeast Oceanside Microtransit
50 Vista/Bonsall Microtransit
51 Fallbrook Microtransit
52 Ramona Microtransit
53 Local Route 89: Solana Beach to UTC
54 Local Route 984: Mira Mesa to Sorrento
Valley
55 Express Route 77: Ramona to Poway
56 Express Route 246: Rancho Bernardo to UC
San Diego
57 Express Route 247: Escondido to
UC San Diego
58 Circulator Route 449: Palomar College area
59 Circulator Route 675: Rancho Bernardo
Business Park Loop
60 Circulator Route 985: UC San Diego Shuttle
Projects Outside Map Extent
Borrego Springs Microtransit
North County
Additional Map Information
Managed Lanes Key
Conversion
of Existing
Lane(s)
Additional
Managed
Lane(s)
1 I-5 Managed Lanes: I-805 to SR 78 X X
2 I-5 Managed Lanes: SR 78 to County Line X X
3 I-15 Managed Lanes: SR 78 to County Line X
4a SR 56 Managed Lanes: I-5 to Carmel Valley Rd X
4b SR 56 Managed Lanes: Carmel Valley Rd to I-15 X
5 SR 78 Managed Lanes: I-5 to I-15 X
Unlisted Projects
2025 Bike Network
Unmapped Projects
Transit Frequency Enhancements
Transit Amenities & Mobility Hub
Investments (WiFi, restrooms, security)
Existing Network
Unmapped Policies
Climate (includes Zero-Emission
Vehicle Infrastructure)
Digital Equity
Fix it First
Habitat Conservation
Health
Housing & Land Use
Parking & Curb Management
Pricing Strategies
Transportation Demand Management
Transportation Technology &
Operational Improvements
Vision Zero
Acroynms
ML = Managed Lane
NEV = Neighborhood Electric Vehicle
POE = Port of Entry
OME = Otay Mesa East
Recurring Feedback and Impact on the Concept
In North County, people said they needed: What we’re considering (and much more):
▶ Better traffic flow on highways: especially the
SR 78, SR 76 and I-15
▶ Safer/easier connector between I-5 and SR 78
▶ Managed lanes on the SR 78 and managed lane
connectors between the SR 78 and I-5 and I-15
▶ Straightening out SR 76 from Rice Canyon to the Pala
Reservation, Harolds Rd to Pauma Rancho, adding
intersection improvements in three places, and
widening the shoulder for emergencies
▶ Connector between I-5 and SR 78
Better public transit service:
▶ COASTER, SPRINTER, and buses that come more
often and that can make faster trips
▶ More service at night and on weekends
▶ Expanded transit or microtransit access for
communities where routes don’t currently go
such as San Elijo Hills, Rancho Santa Fe, Fallbrook
▶ Connection to Riverside County
▶ Access to Palomar Airport
▶ Improving the SPRINTER and COASTER routes by
increasing frequency, making rail improvements to
speed up trip times, and adding more evening and
weekend service
▶ More Rapid routes, including one from Otay to
Escondido and another connecting Carlsbad and
San Marcos to Riverside County
Better transit, shuttle and microtransit options to
make it easier to access COASTER and SPRINTER
stations and community destinations.
Twelve shuttle or microtransit service areas which will increase access to common local destinations, including transit stops; includes service area providing access to Palomar Airport.
▶ Safer walking and biking routes, either improving
existing routes or expanding the network
▶ Protected bike lanes on major roads to connect to
the coast
▶ Upgrading existing bike routes or adding new ones
across the region with separated bikeways on high-
speed roads
▶ Bike trails with coastal access, along with other east to west bikeway connections
5 North County residents told us they needed
better traffic flow on SR 78, SR 76, and I-15, more frequent COASTER and SPRINTER service with expanded night and weekend hours, safer walking and biking routes, shuttle and microtransit services to connect to transit stations, and connections to Palomar Airport and Riverside County.
DRAFT
MCRD
Coronado
San Diego
Lemon
Grove
La Mesa
Santee
El Cajon
MCAS Miramar
46 45
50 38
62 4a
5b
4b
40 36
29 35
5a
7a
5c
5d
56 39
64 32
37 88
89 91
30 28
31 81
34 47
48 42
43 41
54 53
61 58
44 52
60 1b
1a
2a
13 15
17 6a
6b
14 20
59 55
51 63
57 2b
2c
3c
8a
12 3d
3a
49 33 27
18 16
11 9a
19 67
25 65
26 10a
21 22
23 24
27 66
72 70
71 68
73 69
80 78
79 77
67 75
74 76
90 91
82 84
85 83
86 87 3b
0 1 2
M I L E S
0 1 . 5 3
K I L O M E TE R S
D R AF T
By 2035 2036-2050
On-Street Bikeway
Off-Street Bikeway
On-Street & Off-Street Bikeway
Flexible Fleets
(Neighborhood Electric Vehicle (NEV))
or Microtransit)
By 2035 2036-2050
Regional Rail
Light Rail
Next Gen Rapid
4 Managed Lanes
2 Managed Lanes
Express Bus
Local Bus
Circulator
1 Reversible Managed Lane
By 2035 2036-2050
Managed Lanes Connector
Direct A ccess Ramp (DAR)
Interchange/Arterial
Operational Impr ovements
Rural Corridor Improvements
Goods Movement
Downtown Bus Layover
6 Initial Concept for the Draft 2025 Regional Plan: Central & East County 1a-b I-5 Managed Lanes 2a-c I-15 Managed Lanes
3a-d I-805 Managed Lanes
4a-b I-8 Managed Lanes
5a-d SR 52 Managed Lanes*
6a-b SR 94 Managed Lanes
7a SR 56 Managed Lanes
8a SR 163 Managed Lanes
9a SR 125 Managed Lanes
10a SR 75 Coronado Bridge
Reversible Managed Lane
11 I-5/I-805 ML Connector
12 I-15/SR 52 ML Connectors
13 I-15/SR 94 ML Connector
14 I-15/I-805 ML Connector
15 SR 94/I-805 ML Connector
16 I-805/SR 52 ML Connector
17 SR 125/SR 94 ML Connector
18 I-805/SR 163 ML Connector
19 SR 67 Improvements: Mapleview St to
Dye Rd
20 SR 125/SR 94 Interchange/
Arterial Improvements
21 I-15 @ SDSU West DAR
22 I-805 @ Nobel Dr DAR
23 I-15 @ Clairemont Mesa Blvd DAR
24 I-5 @ Voigt DAR
25 Harbor Dr Multimodal Corridor Improvements
26 I-5 Working Waterfront Access
27 Purple Line
28 LOSSAN Improvements
29 Airport Transit Connection
30 Blue Line Improvements
31 Orange Line Improvements
32 Green Line Improvements
33 Balboa Park Perimeter Streetcar
34 Rapid 120: Kearny Mesa to Downtown
35 Rapid 207: Pacific Beach to Kearny Mesa
36 Rapid 210: La Mesa to Ocean Beach
37 Rapid 211: SDSU to Downtown
38 Rapid 212: Spring Valley to Downtown
39 Rapid 215: SDSU to Downtown
40 Rapid 225: South Bay Rapid
41 Rapid 228: Point Loma to Kearny Mesa
42 Rapid 229: Downtown to Pacific Beach
43 Rapid 230: Balboa Station to UTC
44 Rapid 235: Escondido to Downtown
45 Rapid 237: UC San Diego to Rancho Bernardo
46 Rapid 238: UC San Diego to Rancho Bernardo
47 Rapid 241: UCSD Hillcrest Medical Center to
UTC/UC San Diego
48 Rapid 243: Pacific Beach to Kearny Mesa
49 Rapid 255: Downtown to Logan Heights to
Golden Hill to South Park to North Park to
University Heights to Hillcrest
See reverse for detailed Managed Lanes Key and Additional Map Information | * Includes addition of truck climbing lane 50 Rapid 256: SDSU to Rancho SD/Cuyamaca
College
51 Rapid 259: El Cajon Transit Center to Lemon
Grove Depot
52 Rapid 265: Otay to Escondido
53 Rapid 280: Downtown San Diego to Escondido
54 Rapid 290: Downtown San Diego to Rancho
Bernardo Transit Station
55 Rapid 292: El Cajon to Otay Mesa
56 Rapid 295: South Bay to Clairemont
57 Rapid 473: Oceanside to Solana Beach to
UTC/UC San Diego
58 Rapid 484: Carlsbad to Kearny Mesa
59 Rapid 625: SDSU to Palomar Station
60 Rapid 630: Iris Trolley/Palomar to Kearny Mesa
61 Rapid 637: North Park to 32nd St Trolley Station
62 Rapid 640: San Ysidro to Santa Fe Depot
63 Rapid 688: San Ysidro to UTC
64 Rapid 880: El Cajon to UC San Diego
65 Downtown Bus Layover
66 NEV Service Area: Coronado
67 NEV Service Area: Del Mar
68 NEV Service Area: La Jolla
69 NEV Service Area: La Mesa
70 NEV Service Area: Ocean Beach
71 NEV Service Area: Pacific Beach
72 NEV Service Area: Downtown/Little Italy
73 NEV Service Area: North Park/City Heights
74 Southeast San Diego Microtransit
75 Eastern San Diego Microtransit
76 Casa De Oro Microtransit
77 Lakeside Microtransit
78 Clairemont Mesa Microtransit
79 Sorrento Valley Microtransit
80 Kearny Mesa Convoy Microtransit
81 El Cajon Microtransit
82 Local Route 89: Solana Beach to UTC
83 Local Route 984: Mira Mesa to Sorrento Valley
84 Express Route 77: Ramona to Poway
85 Express Route 246: Rancho Bernardo to
UC San Diego
86 Express Route 247: Escondido to
UC San Diego
87 Express Route 993: Shelter Island to
Convention Center
88 Circulator Route 647: Mission Valley Loop
89 Circulator Route 648: Mission Valley Loop
90 Circulator Route 649: Kearny Mesa Loop
91 Circulator Route 668: Kearny Mesa Loop
92 Circulator Route 985: UC San Diego Shuttle
Projects Outside Map Extent
Alpine Microtransit
Central & East County
Additional Map Information
Managed Lanes Key
Conversion
of Existing
Lane(s)
Additional
Managed
Lane(s)
1a I-5 Managed Lanes: SR 905 Pacific Highway X
1b I-5 Managed Lanes: Pacific Highway to I-805 X
2a I-15 Managed Lanes: I-5 to I-805 X
2b I-15 Managed Lanes: I-805 to I-8 X X
2c I-15 Managed Lanes: I-8 to SR-163 X X
3a I-805 Managed Lanes: Palomar St to SR 94 X
3b I-805 Managed Lanes: SR 94 to I-8 X X
3c I-805 Managed Lanes: I-8 to SR 52 X X
3d I-805 Managed Lanes: SR 52 to I-5 X
4a I-8 Managed Lanes: I-5 to SR 67 X
4b I-8 Managed Lanes: SR 67 to Greenfield Dr X
5a SR 52 Managed Lanes: I-5 to I-805 X
5b SR 52 Managed Lanes: I-805 to I-15 X
5c SR 52 Managed Lanes: I-15 to Mast Blvd X X
5d SR 52 Managed Lanes: Mast Blvd to SR 125 X
6a SR 94 Managed Lanes: I-5 to I-15 X X
6b SR 94 Managed Lanes: I-15 to SR-125 X
7a SR 56 Managed Lanes: I-5 to Carmel Valley Rd X
8a SR 163 Managed Lanes: I-8 to SR-52 X
9a SR 125 Managed Lanes: SR 54 to SR 52 X
10a SR 75 Coronado Bridge Reversible Managed Lane X
Unlisted Projects
2025 Bike Network
Unmapped Projects
Transit Frequency Enhancements
Transit Amenities & Mobility Hub
Investments (WiFi, restrooms, security)
Existing Network
Unmapped Policies
Climate (includes Zero-Emission
Vehicle Infrastructure)
Digital Equity
Fix it First
Habitat Conservation
Health
Housing & Land Use
Parking & Curb Management
Pricing Strategies
Transportation Demand Management
Transportation Technology &
Operational Improvements
Vision Zero
Acroynms
DAR = Direct Access Ramp
ML = Managed Lane
NEV = Neighborhood Electric Vehicle
Recurring Feedback and Impact on the Concept
In San Diego, people said they needed: What we’re considering (and much more):
Better public transit including:
▶ Expanded routes and more frequent service, including
later evening and more weekend hours
▶ Faster connections east to west including beach access, and east of the I-15
▶ More connections to job centers, beaches, and major
landmarks
▶ Faster transit to the airport
▶ Faster trips through high-traffic areas
▶ More bus lanes on major streets
▶ Transit station amenities like shade and lighting
▶ More Rapid buses and trolley improvements
▶ More frequent service and expanded night and weekend
hours
▶ Routes maximize access to jobs and high-traffic
destinations
Microtransit or shuttles connecting people to transit stops too far to walk to – particularly in areas with limited parking Twelve microtransit and/or shuttle service areas; parking district funds will partially fund shuttle service in those areas Better traffic flow on and between highways including:
▶ Smoother connections to the SR 52
▶ I-5 and I-8
▶ Managed lanes and truck climbing lane on SR 52, and
connecting the I-15 and SR 52 managed lanes
▶ Converting existing lanes and adding managed lanes on I-8 ▶ Finishing managed lanes on I-805 and I-5, converting an existing lane to a managed lane on State Routes 94, 56, 163, and part of the 125
More protected biking/walking routes on high-speed roads and crossing busy intersections: improving existing routes, finishing projects, and connecting more neighborhoods,
including:
▶ Between Point Loma and the Marina along the coast
▶ Around SDSU
▶ Routes that go over a freeway such as I-5
▶ Nimitz Blvd, Rosecrans St, Pacific Coast Highway, Old Town
▶ Better connections from the I-15 bikeway over I-8
Our Regional Bike Network includes existing bikeway
improvements, additions, or finishing routes addressing all of these location-specific concerns. For more information, visit the interactive map on our website.
More amenities for bicyclists at transit stops and
other common locations (ex. bike racks and lockers).
Investing in bike amenities as part of bikeway projects, transit projects, and transportation demand management programs.
In East County, people said they needed: What we’re considering (and much more):
To improve highways by:
▶ Finishing the SR 94 and SR 125 connector project
▶ Helping traffic flow on State Routes 52 and 67
▶ Improving the SR 94/125 connector
▶ Managed lanes and a truck climbing lane on SR 52 and
connecting managed lanes between I-15 and SR 52
▶ Widening the shoulder for emergency purposes on SR 67 Public transportation improvements:
▶ More Rapid transit and transit options for Cuyamaca
College and La Presa
▶ Transit that comes more often and for extended hours
in the evening
▶ More Rapid buses including routes 256: SDSU to Rancho SD/Cuyamaca College; and 292, El Cajon to Otay Mesa via La Presa
▶ Next Gen Rapid bus routes may include infrastructure and technology to speed up trips
▶ Green and Orange Line trolley improvements
▶ More transit frequency and evening hours
Microtransit and shuttles:
▶ Connecting suburban East County to transit stops
▶ Service from unincorporated communities to San Diego
Shuttles and microtransit in Lemon Grove, El Cajon, La Mesa and in unincorporated communities in the County.
▶ Safer bike routes, not mixing bike routes with vehicle traffic on high-speed roads
▶ More bike routes east to west
Regional bike network includes separated bikeways on
high-speed roads and various east-to-west routes.
7 Central & East County residents told us they needed
improved traffic flow on SR 52, I-8, and SR 67, the completed SR 94/SR 125 connector, faster connections to job centers, beaches, the airport, more frequent transit connections with expanded night and weekend hours, and safer walking and biking routes.
DRAFT
Initial Concept for the Draft 2025 Regional Plan: South County Tijuana, B.C.
Imperial
Beach
UNITED STATES
MEXICO
County of San Diego
Coronado
San Diego
Chula
Vista
National
City
Bonita
18 46
24 2216
17 5145
10 36
52 35
23 27
48 13
18 47
2 1
38 50
55 54
28 26
33 30
37 38
4 9
8 3
32 34
15 41
14 44
20 25
31 53
11 6
7 39
5 21
29 42
43 49
40 19
12 D R AF T
0 0. 5 1
M I L E S
0 1 2
K I L O M E TE R S
By 2035 2036-2050
On-Street Bikeway
Off-Street Bikeway
On-Street & Off-Street Bikeway
Flexible Fleets
(Neighborhood Electric Vehicle (NEV))
or Microtransit)
Mobility Hubs
By 2035 2036-2050
Regional Rail
Light Rail
Next Gen Rapid
U.S.-Mexico Border
Transit Connection
By 2035 2036-2050
Managed Lanes Connector
Goods Movement
Freeway Connection
to OME POE
4 Managed Lanes
2 Managed Lanes
Express Bus
Local Bus
Circulator
1 Reversible Managed Lane
1 I-5 Managed Lanes: SR 905 to Pacific Hwy
2 I-15 Managed Lanes: I-5 to I-805
3 I-805 Managed Lanes: SR 905 to Palomar St
4 I-805 Managed Lanes: Palomar St to SR 94
5 SR 54 Managed Lanes: I-805 to SR 125
6 SR 905 Managed Lanes: I-5 to Border
7 SR 905 Managed Lanes: I-805 to Otay Mesa
East Port of Entry
8 SR 125 Managed Lanes: SR 54 to I-8
9 SR 125 Managed Lanes: transition from toll
road to managed and general-purpose
lanes from SR 905 to SR 54
10 SR 75 Coronado Bridge
Reversible Managed Lane
11 SR 11 Roadway Connection to Otay Mesa
East POE
12 U.S.-Mexico Border Transit Connection
13 Purple Line
14 LOSSAN Improvements
15 Blue Line Improvements
16 Orange Line Improvements
17 Green Line Improvements
18 Rapid 209: H St Trolley Station to Millennia
19 Rapid 212: Spring Valley to Downtown
20 Rapid 225: South Bay Rapid
21 Rapid 227: Otay Mesa East POE to Imperial
Beach via 905
22 Rapid 256: SDSU to Rancho San Diego/
Cuyamaca College
23 Rapid 265: Otay to Escondido
24 Rapid 292: El Cajon to Otay Mesa
25 Rapid 293: Imperial Beach to Otay Ranch
26 Rapid 295: South Bay to Clairemont
27 Rapid 625: SDSU to Palomar Station
28 Rapid 630: Iris Trolley/Palomar to Kearny
Mesa
29 Rapid 635: Eastlake to Palomar Trolley
* See reverse for detailed Managed Lanes Key
30 Rapid 637: North Park to 32nd St Trolley
Station
31 Rapid 638: Iris Trolley to Otay Mesa
32 Rapid 640: San Ysidro to Santa Fe Depot
33 Rapid 688: San Ysidro to UTC via 805
34 Otay Mesa East POE
35 Otay Mesa POE Truck Bridge to Commercial
Vehicle Enforcement Facility
36 Harbor Dr Multimodal Corridor
Improvements
37 I-5 Working Waterfront Access
38 Vesta Bridge: Phase 1
39 San Ysidro Mobility Hub
40 NEV Service Area: Coronado
41 NEV Service Area: Downtown Chula Vista
42 NEV Service Area: Imperial Beach
43 NEV Service Area: National City
44 NEV Service Area: U.S.-Mexico Border/
San Ysidro
45 NEV Service Area: Downtown/Little Italy
46 Central Chula Vista Microtransit
47 Southeast San Diego Microtransit
48 Local Route 195: 8th St Trolley to Plaza
Bonita
49 Local Route 196: 8th St Trolley to Plaza Blvd
50 Express Route 121: Cross-Border Xpress to
Iris Transit Center
51 Express Route 993: Shelter Island to
Convention Center
52 Circulator Route 193: Iris Transit Center to
San Ysidro High Schoool
53 Circulator Route 661: Otay Mesa Loop
54 Circulator Route 715: Otay Ranch Loop
55 Circulator Route 716: Lower Otay Ranch
Loop
8 South County
Additional Map Information
Managed Lanes Key
Conversion
of Existing
Lane(s)
Additional
Managed
Lane(s)
1 I-5 Managed Lanes: SR 905 to Pacific Highway X
2 I-15 Managed Lanes: I-5 to I-805 X
3 I-805 Managed Lanes: SR 905 to Palomar St X
4 I-805 Managed Lanes: Palomar St to SR 94 X
5 SR 54 Managed Lanes: I-805 to SR 125 X
6 SR 905 Managed Lanes: I-5 to I-805 X
7 SR 905 Managed Lanes: I-805 to Otay Mesa East
Port of Entry X
8 SR 125 Managed Lanes: SR 54 to I-8 X
9 SR 125 Managed Lanes: transition from toll road
to managed and general-purpose lanes from
SR 905 to SR 54
X
10 SR 75 Coronado Bridge Reversible Managed Lane X
Unlisted Projects
2025 Bike Network
Unmapped Projects
Transit Frequency Enhancements
Transit Amenities & Mobility Hub
Investments (WiFi, restrooms, security)
Existing Network
Unmapped Policies
Climate (includes Zero-Emission
Vehicle Infrastructure)
Digital Equity
Fix it First
Habitat Conservation
Health
Housing & Land Use
Parking & Curb Management
Pricing Strategies
Transportation Demand Management
Transportation Technology &
Operational Improvements
Vision Zero
Acroynms
ML = Managed Lane
NEV = Neighborhood Electric Vehicle
POE = Port of Entry
OME = Otay Mesa East
Recurring Feedback and Impact on the Concept
In South County, people said they needed: What we’re considering (and much more):
▶ Better and faster transit options coming from the
border, including a rail connection directly at the
border
▶ Expanded network of transit with service to major
destinations such as job centers, shopping areas,
event venues, and schools
▶ Adding more Rapid routes and eventually a COASTER
connection to the border and improvements to the
Blue Line; San Ysidro Transit Center improvements
and surrounding connections; exploring options for
additional border transit
▶ Managed lanes with bus priority on various south-to-
north highways
▶ Purple Line transit route from the border to Sorrento Valley via City Heights and Kearny Mesa
More transit routes to reach housing developments
in areas isolated from transit and microtransit service for shorter trips.
Six new microtransit or shuttle service areas in Southeast San Diego, National City, Downtown Chula Vista, Central Chula Vista, Imperial Beach, and San Ysidro.
More transit access to the Cross Border Express
(CBX).
Express bus from Iris Ave trolley station to CBX and a
bus route between Otay Mesa and CBX.
Faster transit access to San Diego International
Airport from South County.
Adding an airport transit connection based on potential concepts currently being studied.
More protected bike lanes, pedestrian walkways,
and signals overall, and specifically:
▶ Connections to parks, transit stations, malls, and
other commercial areas
▶ Connections from communities near Sweetwater
reservoir to central Chula Vista
▶ Improving and expanding separated bikeways
on high-speed roads across the region, including
intersection improvements such as bike signals
▶ On street, protected bikeways to connect
communities near Sweetwater Reservoir to Bonita,
National City, and Chula Vista
To remove the toll on SR 125. By 2037, changing the SR 125 toll road to a regular highway with a mix of free and managed lanes (use of
lanes may vary depending on demand).
9 South County residents told us they needed
faster, more direct transit access to and from the border and CBX, more transit routes to major destinations and housing, faster access to the airport, more protected bike and pedestrian routes, and to remove the toll on SR 125.
DRAFT