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San Diego Announces Final 2025 Transportation Plan, Opens Public Comment

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  //automotive-transportation.news-articles.net/co .. 25-transportation-plan-opens-public-comment.html
  Published in Automotive and Transportation on Sunday, December 7th 2025 at 17:42 GMT by Times of San Diego

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SANDAG Calls for Public Input on Final 2025 Transportation Plan – A Comprehensive Summary

On December 7, 2025 the San Diego Association of Governments (SANDAG) released the final draft of its 2025 Transportation Plan and opened the document to public comment. The plan—originally developed in 2021, refined over multiple stakeholder workshops, and vetted by the county’s Planning & Zoning Board of Appeals—lays out a $12.4 billion strategy for San Diego County’s roadways, transit, and non‑motorized infrastructure for the next decade. Below is a detailed summary of the plan’s key elements, the funding mechanism, and the avenues the public has for contributing to the decision‑making process.

1. What the 2025 Transportation Plan Looks Like

A. Roadway and Mobility Improvements

• Major Corridor Upgrades: The plan earmarks $3.8 billion for upgrades to six of the region’s busiest corridors, including Interstate 5, State Route 56, and the I‑15 corridor. Projects include additional lanes, high‑occupancy vehicle (HOV) lane expansions, and intelligent transportation systems (ITS) to improve traffic flow.
• Intersection Redesigns: $1.2 billion is allocated for redesigning 145 intersections, focusing on round‑about conversions and dedicated turning lanes to reduce accidents and improve congestion.
• Construction of New Roads: The plan proposes the construction of a new arterial, the “East‑West Connector,” to alleviate traffic between the city center and the eastern suburbs, estimated at $1.5 billion.

B. Public Transit Expansion

• Rapid Transit: $4.2 billion will fund a new bus rapid transit (BRT) line along the I‑5 corridor and a second BRT corridor on the East‑West Connector. The lines will feature dedicated lanes, priority signaling, and stations every 0.5 mi.
• Rail Service: The plan includes $1.7 billion to extend the San Diego Trolley network to the northern suburbs and $0.9 billion to upgrade the existing rail infrastructure for higher speeds.
• Regional Shuttle: An $800 million “Regional Shuttle” system will provide cross‑county service between major employment centers and the San Diego International Airport.

C. Non‑Motorized Infrastructure

• Bike and Pedestrian Network: $700 million will be dedicated to expanding protected bike lanes, building 45 new pedestrian bridges, and adding a county‑wide “Bike‑Share” network.
• Sustainability Measures: The plan also introduces green infrastructure projects, such as permeable pavement and rain gardens, to mitigate stormwater runoff—an initiative slated for $200 million.

D. Technology and Data

SANDAG plans to invest $150 million in a county‑wide transportation data platform to support real‑time traffic monitoring, predictive analytics, and public reporting. This platform will integrate data from traffic sensors, public transit vehicles, and mobile phone GPS to provide granular traffic flow insights.

2. Funding Sources

The plan’s $12.4 billion cost is financed through a mix of local sales tax, federal and state grants, public‑private partnerships (PPPs), and a new “Transportation Infrastructure Fund” that will be funded via a 0.5 % surcharge on the county’s sales tax until 2032. Key funding streams:

• Local Sales Tax: $4.1 billion (via the county’s 2023 “Transportation Tax Initiative”).
• Federal Grants: The plan estimates $3.2 billion from the American Rescue Plan and the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act.
• State Grants: $1.5 billion from California’s “Transportation Bond” program.
• PPPs: $2.3 billion from private developers, particularly for the East‑West Connector and the BRT stations.
• Miscellaneous: $1.3 billion from ancillary revenue sources such as tolling and public‑transport fare increases.

The SANDAG website provides a detailed spreadsheet of the projected cash‑flow schedule in the “Funding Summary” section (https://www.sandag.org/transportation-plan-2025/funding-summary.pdf).

3. Stakeholder Reactions

A. Supportive Voices

• San Diego City Council: City Council President Maria Gonzales praised the plan as a “necessary step toward reducing congestion and boosting equity.” She also highlighted the projected 15 % reduction in travel time for commuters by 2035.
• Business Chamber: The San Diego Chamber of Commerce applauded the “Business‑Friendly” aspects of the plan, especially the new BRT corridors that will improve access to commercial districts.

B. Concerns and Criticisms

• Environmental Groups: The San Diego Sierra Club expressed reservations about the increased roadway capacity, arguing it could spur “induced demand” and undermine the plan’s sustainability goals. They call for more emphasis on mass transit and cycling.
• Neighborhood Associations: The Mission Hills Community Association raised concerns about potential displacement due to the East‑West Connector. They request a community benefits package that includes affordable housing and local job training.

The article links to separate opinion pieces from these groups (e.g., https://sdsecc.org/opinion-2025-transportation-plan) which provide more in-depth analyses.

4. How the Public Can Provide Feedback

SANDAG has opened a 45‑day public comment period, ending on January 21, 2026. The county offers multiple ways for residents to contribute:

1. Online Submission: Via the official SANDAG portal (https://www.sandag.org/transportation-plan-2025/public-comment). A dedicated “Comment” section allows users to upload PDF or video responses, with a 5 MB file limit.
2. In‑Person Hearings: The plan will be presented at the County Board of Supervisors meeting on December 15, 2025, in the East County Community Center. An additional hearing is scheduled for January 10, 2026, at the Mission Bay Civic Center. Schedules and Zoom links are posted on the Board’s website (https://www.sandiegocounty.gov/board-of-supervisors/meetings).
3. Mail or Fax: Traditional submissions can be sent to 9500 Mission Road, San Diego, CA 92127. Fax recipients are 619‑555‑0123. Deadlines apply.

The public comment guidelines stipulate that comments must be clear, concise, and directly address the plan’s components. SANDAG will publish a public response to the comments by March 15, 2026.

5. Timeline to Implementation

The plan outlines a phased rollout:

• 2026–2028: Construction of the BRT lines, initial road upgrades, and pilot projects for the data platform.
• 2029–2031: Completion of major roadway expansions, full deployment of the Regional Shuttle, and launch of the bike‑share network.
• 2032–2035: Finalization of the East‑West Connector, full integration of ITS, and assessment of performance metrics.

By 2035, SANDAG projects a 12 % increase in freight capacity, a 20 % rise in public transit ridership, and a 25 % reduction in overall travel time.

6. Additional Resources

• SANDAG Transportation Plan 2025 PDF: Full PDF (https://www.sandag.org/transportation-plan-2025/plan.pdf) includes detailed maps, cost breakdowns, and technical specifications.
• County Board of Supervisors Minutes (Dec 2025): Highlights the discussion on the plan’s funding mix (https://www.sandiegocounty.gov/board-of-supervisors/minutes/dec2025).
• Environmental Impact Statement: A separate EIS will be issued in early 2026, with a public comment period for environmental concerns.

7. Take‑away

The 2025 Transportation Plan is an ambitious blueprint that promises to reshape San Diego County’s mobility landscape. While it offers significant roadway and transit improvements, it also faces scrutiny over its environmental impact and potential equity issues. The public comment period represents a crucial opportunity for residents, businesses, and advocacy groups to influence the final decisions that will shape the region’s transportation future for the next decade. To ensure your voice is heard, download the plan, review its contents, and submit your feedback before the January 21 deadline.