Congressman Bob Filner announces transportation grants for San Diego

Money will fund two new bus lines, Coaster rail service to UCSD

Congressman Bob Filner today announced more than $2 million in Federal Transportation Administration (FTA) grants to create two new bus lines in his congressional district – one each in the South Bay and Southeast San Diego. The grant also will be used to extend Coaster rail service to the University of California, San Diego campus and for improvements to the Sorrento Valley Coaster station. The money was awarded to the San Diego County Metropolitan Transit District Board (MTDB).

The FTA grants include $650,000 for two new bus routes as part of San Diego’s Welfare to Work program. Bus route 905 serves the South Bay and currently runs from the Otay Mesa employment center to Iris Avenue trolley station. The grant will allow MTDB to extend the service to San Ysidro. The second bus line, route 60, serves Southeast and Central San Diego beginning at the Euclid Avenue Trolley Station and runs north along the newly expanded Interstate 15 through City Heights. It will stop at the new freeway off-ramps at both University Avenue and El Cajon Boulevard and then continue on express service only to Kearny Mesa and University Town Center.

"Not having reliable, safe transportation is one of the barriers in moving those on welfare into good-paying jobs. This grant will make it easier for those trying to make that transition," Filner said. "And it benefits the businesses in Otay Mesa, Kearny Mesa and Sorrento Valley by giving them access to a larger pool of potential employees."

Another $1.5 million will be used to improve the Sorrento Valley Coaster Station and work to extend Coaster service to the UCSD campus. The grant will pay for bike lockers, ticket machines, improved landscaping and add 140 parking spaces to the Sorrento Valley site. Another 70 parking spaces will be added across Sorrento Valley Road and a pedestrian bridge will be installed to connect the bus and train stations.

The UCSD extension will run from Balboa Drive and Interstate 5 north to the UCSD campus. The funding from this grant will be used to determine the alignment of the rail through the campus.

"Linking major San Diego institutions such as UCSD and our mass transit system benefits all San Diegans, including the residents of my district who need reliable, affordable transportation to all of our education and employment centers," Filner said. "These projects link the people of the South Bay and Southeast San Diego with the jobs and centers of learning in Kearny Mesa, Sorrento Valley and University City. I applaud the FTA’s decision to award these funds and am proud to make this announcement."

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