SPRING 2007
Be In the Know
Pomerado Bridge Soon to Open
Crossing Interstate 15 will be easier for travelers in the North County as the new and improved Pomerado Bridge opened in the Rancho Bernardo area on January 20, 2007. Completed in just nine months, the bridge provides critical access to Pomerado Road and West Bernardo Drive.
The new bridge design features two additional lanes for a total of four; a pedestrian and bicycle path; a signalized intersection at the west end; upgraded seismic standards; and aesthetic improvements to coincide with other construction underway along the booming corridor.
The previous bridge was torn down in dramatic fashion to accommodate four new Managed Lanes from State Route 78 in Escondido to State Route 163. TransNet, the local half-cent sales tax for transportation improvements, is helping to fund the ambitious and innovative 20-mile facility for carpools, buses, and FasTrak® customers. When completed, it will feature a moveable barrier (similar to the moveable barriers on the San Diego-Coronado Bridge), multiple access points, and direct access ramps for buses. A high-frequency, Bus Rapid Transit (BRT) system also will be operated in these Managed Lanes.
511 is Coming
Click or call to connect to the new 511, 24 hours a day, seven days a week. Tap into current driving times for the I-15 and other San Diego County highways; and conveniently connect to the RideLink customer service center. As the 511 system develops, you'll also be able to get up-to-the-minute FasTrak® toll information for the I-15 Managed Lanes. Other valuable 511 features include:
→ Real-time traffic analysis, including incident reports, and congestion delays;
→ Traffic camera views;
→ Transit route and fare information;
→ Carpool and vanpool information;
→ Bicycle and commuting information; and
→ Road-side assistance via the San Diego SAFE call center.
Whether you use the telephone, web (www.511sd.com), or Community View TV service, 511 will consolidate valuable transportation information into a one-stop, free public resource.
SPRINTER Goes for Full Speed Test-Drive
In December, the SPRINTER vehicles emerged from their operations facility in Escondido and glided through a stretch of track from Escondido into San Marcos as they underwent the first operational tests. Between Woodland Pkwy., and San Marcos Blvd., a stretch of track crosses no streets for more than a mile and makes it ideal for bringing the trains up to their top speed of 55 mph. It is here that the vehicles will continue to run throughout early 2007. Check out the latest NCTD Sprinter Construction Update, which includes some great photos of construction in the corridor.
SANDAG Newsletter Provides Access to Key Regional Information
The San Diego Association of Governments (SANDAG) is the region's primary research and planning agency, providing the public forum for regional policy decisions about growth, transportation, transit planning and construction, environmental management, housing, open space, energy, public safety, and binational topics.
As a public service, SANDAG distributes "rEgion," a free monthly electronic newsletter. To subscribe to "rEgion," go to www.sandag.org and enter a valid e-mail address in the box at the bottom left corner of the page. Then, each month, you will receive information to keep you updated on critical projects and services underway and planned in the San Diego region. It's a great way to stay in the loop!
TABNC Board Installation
Several transit alliance members attended the board installation at the General Meeting in January. Mayor Lori Holt Pfeiler conducted the installation ceremony. Congressmen Darrell Issa, Congressman Brian Bilbray, County Board of Supervisor Bill Horn sent their representatives. Oceanside Mayor Pro Tem Rocky Chavez, Carlsbad City Council Member Matt Hall and NCTD's Karen King offered congratulations to the TABNC 2007 board members: Ted Owen, Carlsbad Chamber; David Bennett, CSUSM; Gerry Seelman, Psomas; Brad Wiscons, Palomar Pomerado Health; Rich Brasher, Stantec; Debra Rosen, Downtown Escondido Business Association; Frankie Laney, Carlsbad Convention and Visitors Bureau; Jenny Marinko, North County Career Centers and Pete Aadland, NCTD.
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Action Alerts
State Funds for San Diego
On February 20, 2007, the California Transportation Commission (CTC) will be holding a hearing on the Corridor Mobility Improvement Account (CMIA) program of Proposition 1B, the state's newly passed $19.9 billion transportation infrastructure bond measure. The CTC will take action on the CMIA on February 28. The San Diego region has requested $1.7 billion in funding to add managed and high occupancy vehicle lanes to the Interstates 15, 5, and 805 corridors. Every single region has asked for far more money than available; there are $19.2 billion in project requests statewide for the $4.5 billion CMIA program (see www.voiceofsandiego.org/pdf/projectlist.pdf). You can help ensure San Diego receives funding for these projects by sending your comments to the CTC (California_Transportation_Commission@dot.ca.gov) and your Senate and Assembly representative. A comprehensive email list of legislative representatives is posted online at www.tabnc.com/action_so_law.htm.
Fiscal Year 2007 Federal Funding
In January, the House of Representatives passed a year-long joint funding resolution to provide funds for the rest of FY 2007. The resolution funds federal highway and transit programs at the authorized funding levels in SAFETEA-LU (Safe, Accountable, Flexible, Efficient Transportation Equity Act: A Legacy for Users). Federal highway programs are funded at $39.1 billion, which is a $3.4 billion increase over FY 2006 levels. Transit programs are funded at $8.8 billion, a $474 million increase from FY 2006. The Senate passed the measure on February 14. If signed by the President, California will receive about $350 million more in highway funding and $40 million more in transit funding in FY 2007.
CEDROS CROSSING (AT SOLANA BEACH TRANSIT STATION)
The Solana Beach City Council has scheduled public hearings to certify the Final Environmental Impact Report (FEIR) for Saturdays, March 10 and 24 at City Hall from 9am to 4pm. Please mark your calendars! A presentation of the Final EIR by City Staff and City consultants followed by public testimony on Saturday morning, March 10, 2007, is anticipated. This would be the most important time to express your views on the project and request that the City Council certify the Final EIR. Participation helps demonstrate to the City Council that the project has community support.
If you have any questions, please contact Greg Shannon, Shea Properties, at 800-355-5689 or visit www.CedrosCrossing.com.
SANDAG TO HOLD PUBLIC WORKSHOPS ON TRANSIT SERVICES PLAN
SANDAG is holding two public workshops on Wednesday and Thursday, February 27 and 28, 2007, in Oceanside and San Diego to introduce the new federal requirement to prepare a regional Coordinated Public Transit and Human Services Transportation Plan. Individuals who rely on public and private transit services to meet their transportation needs are encouraged to comment on the development of the new plan and potential transportation improvements, and discuss other issues related to transportation services.
The plan will include strategies to better manage transit services for senior, disabled, and limited-income riders, and will help SANDAG determine how future federal grants for these transportation services should be awarded.
For more information, e-mail ptr@sandag.org.
Tuesday, February 27, 2007
12:30 PM
Caltrans District 11 Offices
Gallegos Room
4050 Taylor Street
San Diego, CA 92110
Wednesday, February 28, 2007
Noon
North County Transit District Offices
Lower Level
810 Mission Avenue
Oceanside, CA 92054
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Mark Your Calendar
9 AM – April 10, 2007 – Membership Committee Meeting
9 AM – April 11, 2007 – Communications Committee Meeting
9 AM – April 12, 2007 – Business Affairs Committee Meeting
9 AM – April 26, 2007 – General Membership Meeting
Location:
North County Transit District
810 Mission Avenue
Oceanside, CA 92054
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