News:

June 18, 2011- CenterLine SR-15 Bus Rapid Transit Project Public Workshop:

Saturday June 18, 9:30am—1pm at the El Cajon Blvd Business Improvement Association, 3727 El Cajon Blvd. Click here for the flyer.

May 6, 2011- It’s Official: Caltrans & SANDAG Announce Preferred Alternative

At the SANDAG Transportation Committee on April 15, 2011, Gustavo Delardo (Caltrans) and Barrow Emerson (SANDAG) announced the median alternative with offset side platforms as the preferred alternative for the CenterLine project. The agenda reads:

After reviewing the comments submitted by the public for this project, Caltrans has identified the median alternative with offset side platforms as the preferred alternative. This is the most cost-effective alternative that meets the purpose and objectives of this project and minimizes environmental impacts.

Preferred Alternative Features

The median alternative with offset side platforms includes a four-mile-long dedicated transit lane in each direction of SR 15 within the existing median between I-8 and I-805, and stations at freeway level at El Cajon Boulevard and University Avenue. The proposed stations would serve the I-15 BRT route from downtown San Diego to Escondido and the I-805 BRT route from Otay Mesa to Sorrento Mesa. The dedicated transit lanes would be marked with signage, special striping, and barriers to physically separate them from general purpose lanes. The BRT platforms would be accessed by pedestrians via elevators and stairs from the overcrossings at El Cajon Boulevard and University Avenue.

Typical features of the proposed bus stations may include:

• Dedicated station platform with passenger staging area designed to meet
• Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) requirements
• Transit shelter and bench
• Ticket vending machine
• Map and route information
• Light-emitting diode (LED) real-time bus arrival and information screen
• Bike rack
• Trash can
• Variable message signs
• Barriers/screens
• Station marker and lighting
• Security staffing and cameras

Pedestrian circulation and safety measures also are proposed in conjunction with the new BRT stations. The freeway ramp terminals at University Avenue and El Cajon Boulevard only have three pedestrian crosswalks (the inside leg, closest to the middle of the bridge, currently does not have a pedestrian crosswalk). Under the median alternative with offset side platforms, this current configuration would require some pedestrians to make three crossings to make local bus connections from the BRT. To maximize safety and improve pedestrian circulation, a fourth leg crossing with a dedicated phase for pedestrian operations is proposed at the inside leg for University Avenue and El Cajon Boulevard at these intersections. This inclusion of a fourth leg would reduce travel time for pedestrians and increase pedestrian safety by providing an option to reduce the number of crosswalk maneuvers.

The preferred alternative will preclude construction of high-occupancy vehicle (HOV) lanes on SR 15 between I-8 and I-805, but traffic studies done as part of this environmental document indicate that operational impacts from a discontinuous HOV lane in this portion of SR 15 will be minimal.

The estimated cost of the preferred alternative is $40.7 million in current dollars.

More info, including agenda, minutes, and audio recording of said meeting can be found here: http://www.sandag.org/uploads/meetingid/meetingid_3017_12800.pdf

San Diego County Supervisor Ron Roberts and City of San Diego Councilmember Todd Gloria (who both sit on the committee) made supportive public comment. Supervisor Roberts stated that the CenterLine will ‘not just be used, but will be heavily used.’

 

May 6, 2011- APA Awards CenterLine 1st Place in “Hard Won Victories”

The San Diego, California Chapter of the American Planning Association has selected the CenterLine project--and its champions involved along the way--for a first place award for most Hard Won Victories.

The project, officially referred to as “State Route 15 and the Mid City BRT: The Fight for Follow-on Commitments and Promised Facilities,” was nominated by Michael Singleton, Principal Planner at KTU+A. His description of the events related to this project can be found here: (See SR 15 Criteria Summary document).

Congrats to all those involved! The submitted project participants list can be found here: (See SR 15 Project Participants list document)

The award ceremony is this Thursday, May 12, 2011 at 7:30pm at Birch North Park Theatre (2895 University Avenue). The guest speaker will be Todd Gloria, SD City Council, District 3.

 

March 29, 2011- Working Group for the Mid-City SR-15 BRT Station Area Planning- The City of San Diego is beginning work on a Planning Study for the area surrounding the Bus Rapid Transit Stations located at the intersections of SR-15 and University Avenue and El Cajon. The Study will provide a vision for the study area that encourages a mixture of residential, public and employment uses near the stations.

The Working Group will be guiding staff and the consultant team through the comprehensive development of the Study by providing input into the future vision of the Mid-City Area. The Study process will cover a multitude of topics including land use, mobility, urban design and economic feasibility.

The first meeting for the Stakeholder Working Group for the Mid-City SR-15 BRT Station Area Planning is set for:

The meeting will be held at the El Cajon Business Improvement Association at:

3727 El Cajon Boulevard, San Diego, CA 92105

 

March 28, 2011- Centerline Station Design Selected- Caltrans' SR-15 BRT Project Managment has selected "Median Alternative with Offset Platforms"

Slected Alternative:

Alternative 2 will have a dedicated BRT lane in the median which will allow for the same rapid service and frequency of buses as Alternative 1. The main difference is that the bus crossing will be at-grade and that there will be no "underground" walkway from the north to the south stations and vice versa. This means that pedestrians will have to cross at-grade at the intersections.

Alternatives not slected:

February 13, 2011- Waiting for the Express Bus in City Heights - Voice of San Diego

January 26, 2011 (5-8 pm)- CenterLine SR-15 Bus Rapid Transit Public Meeting

Held at Central Elementary School, 4063 Polk Ave. Map
SANDAG is ready to decide on the final design of the SR-15 freeway BRT (Bus Rapid Transit) line and stations. There are 3 alternatives to choose from. This is the last chance for you to be heard!

Flyer: English | Spanish

January 5, 2011 - Notice of Availability of Draft Initial Study with Proposed Mitigated Negative Declaration/Environmental Assessment and Notice of Public Hearing

The California Department of Transportation (Caltrans) has prepared a Draft Initial Study with Proposed Mitigated Negative Declaration/Environmental Assessment (Draft IS/EA) that examines the potential environmental impacts of the proposed State Route 15 Mid-City Bus Rapid Transit Project. The proposed project is located on State Route 15 between Interstate 805 and Interstate 8 in the City of San Diego. The project would construct bus rapid transit stations and dedicated lanes along State Route 15.

The Draft IS/EA for this project describes the purpose and need for the project; the existing environment that could be affected by the project; potential impacts that would result from construction of the project; and the proposed avoidance, minimization, and mitigation measures. The Draft IS/EA for this project was prepared in accordance with federal and state laws and regulations including the National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA) and the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA).

The document is currently in public circulation and interested members of the public may review it at the following San Diego locations: City Heights/Weingart Library, 3795 Fairmont Avenue, San Diego, CA 92105 and Kensington/Normal Heights Library, 4121 Adams Avenue, San Diego, CA 92116.

The document is also available at the Caltrans District 11 Office, 4050 Taylor Street, San Diego, weekdays from 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m., and online at www.dot.ca.gov/dist11/envir.htm and www.keepsandiegomoving.com

Please send written comments regarding the proposed project to Caltrans by the February 14, 2011 deadline via postal mail to:

Jamie Le Dent, Associate Planner
Environmental Analysis, Branch B
California Department of Transportation, District 11
4050 Taylor Street, MS 242
San Diego, CA 92110

There will be an open forum public hearing for the project: from 5:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m. on January 26, 2011 at Central Elementary School, 4063 Polk Avenue, San Diego, CA 92105.

There will be no formal presentation at this public hearing. Caltrans representatives will be on hand to provide information on the project and answer questions. A certified court reporter will be available to take public comments for the record, or comments may be submitted in writing if preferred. The public is invited to make formal comments on the project and Caltrans will respond to substantive comments in the final environmental document.

Individuals who require special accommodation (such as American Sign Language or foreign language interpreter, accessible seating, and/or documentation in alternative formats) are requested to call the District 11 Public Information Office at (619) 688-6670 at least 10 days prior to the scheduled meeting date. TTY users may contact the California Relay Service at (800) 735-2929 (TTY), (800) 735-2929 (Voice), or 711.

December 02, 2010 - Rally to support Mid-City Rapid Bus plan.

A rally organized by Move San Diego was held on The Boulevard Transit Plaza in support of the Mid-City Rapid Bus Plan. Click here for more information.

October 5, 2010 - New Image Of One Of The Proposed CenterLine Station Designs

The above image--created by local urban planning consultants and shared w/ the CHCDC--is a depiction of one of the alternative designs for the University Avenue Station.

August 23, 2010 - Walking and Cycling for Healthy Cities

Special Guest Lecture with Dr. John Pucher
When: August 23, 2010, 12 noon to 1:30 p.m.
Where: SANDAG Board Conference Room,
7th Floor 401 B Street, Suite 800

Bring your lunch and come hear Dr. John Pucher of Rutgers University relate his international experience and research on how to make cities healthier places by creating better places to walk or ride a bike. Dr. Pucher is an entertaining and thought-provoking speaker who will make the case for why it is important to promote active transportation and show what we can learn from the experience of other cities around the country and in Europe.

JOHN PUCHER is a professor in the Bloustein School of Planning and Public Policy at Rutgers University (New Brunswick, New Jersey).For over two decades, he has examined differences in travel behavior, transport systems, and transport policies in Europe, Canada, and the United States.

This lecture is being presented in cooperation with Active Living Research. Parking will be validated for up to two hours for this event.

August 19, 2010 - Come learn what the next Federal Transportation Bill means to our economy, jobs, and regional mobility.

August 19th, 2010
4:00pm -7:00pm
San Diego State University
5500 Campanile Drive
San Diego, CA 92182
Aztec Center - Council Chambers

This exciting Transportation Town Hall is co-hosted by Move San Diego, the Associated Students of SDSU, Transportation for America, Rails-to-Trails Conservancy and CALPIRG.

 

Keynote Speaker: Honorable Congressman Bob Filner, 51st Congressional District Member of Congressional Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure

The Next Federal Bill: Priorities and Opportunities

 

Other Speakers:

Mike McKeever, AICP, Executive Director - Sacramento Area Council of Governments

Reed Vickerman, Vice President of Corporate Operations ñ Amylin Pharmaceuticals, Inc.

Jim Sallis, Director of Active Living Research ñ San Diego State University

Charles Gandy, Mobility Coordinator ñ City of Long Beach

Please contact Nathan Batchelder at NBatchelder@movesandiego.org or 619-702-4266 for any questions.

November 17, 2009 - EIR "Scoping" meeting: Tuesday - 6 P.M. Central Elementary School- 4063 Polk Ave San Diego, CA 92105 -

Click to download flyers: English, Spanish, Vietnamese, Somali

The goal of this evening is to kick off the environmental review of the four different transit station design options for the SR-15 Centerline at University Avenue and El Cajon Boulevard. The significance of a "scoping" meeting is that it is the first opportunity for the public to tell the transit agency what we believe the scope of their EIR should include. The agency will already have a set of issues that they think are significant in the four different options. However, the State's environmental review process requires that the affected community must be allowed to suggest other areas of study that we believe are significant to us. These could include pedestrian safety, noise, air quality, and other issues. The target audience for this meeting is the broader Mid-City community, with a special emphasis on reaching residents near the stations who may not have participated in the planning process so far. We expect that both Councilmember Todd Gloria and School Board Member Richard Barrera may attend this meeting in order to address the public.

July 17, 2009- BI-MONTHLY BROWN BAG LUNCH SERIES 12:00 - 1:00 P.M.

Walk San Diego is presenting a free forum to exchange information and ideas on walkability in the San Diego region. Walk on over to Horton Plaza and join us for the next installment in our Brown Bag Luncheon Series:"GREENING THE GREEN"

Special guest presenter will be Kathy Garcia, Principal, Wallace, Roberts & ToddLocation: 193 Horton Plaza, 1st Level (Next to Victoria's Secret)

LUNCH WILL BE PROVIDED

Please RSVP by July 13th to Cynthia Offenhauer at coffenhauer@walksandiego.org.

Free parking available at Horton Plaza garage. Many transit routes available at www.sdcommute.com

April 24, 2009- SANDAG Board identified $22 million dollars to stabilize transit operations.

The past few weeks have brought us a big success. The SANDAG Board and MTS are still determined to increase fares, but on Friday April 24, 2009, the SANDAG Board identified $22 million dollars to stabilize transit operations over the next two years, until increased permanent funding sources can be established.

Some of this money is will likely go to support increased levels of service on those routes where passenger demand exceeds capacity. I think some of the board members were shocked to hear that full buses were driving past passengers waiting at bus stops.

A lot of credit for the $22 million goes to Supervisor Ron Roberts, Council President Ben Hueso, Councilmember Todd Gloria, and Councilmember Marti Emerald for making this happen. Please let them know that you appreciate their efforts.

For the first time ever, some members of the SANDAG Board have acknowledged a crisis in transit operations. And because we took a stand, the Board found funding to help out. We should take pride in our efforts and thank everyone for every email, letter, phone call and testimonial that brought this forward. Thank you everyone.

All that being said, there is more to do:

We will be tracking the transit boards’ plans for the $22 million, and we will be spending time at SANDAG between now and the end of June in order to participate in the discussion on longer-term funding.

November 24, 2008- 5:30 pm. - Mobility Coalition Meeting- Dede Alpert Center for Community Engagement 4283 El Cajon Boulevard, San Diego, CA 92105

November 7, 2008 - 9:00 am - Transportation Committee Meeting -SANDAG offices, 401 B Street 7th floor San Diego, CA 92101. At this meeting, the 4 possible options for rapid transit on SR-15 will be presented by Barrow Emerson and Steven Russell.

October 14th, 2008- 6:30 to 8:30 pm - Open House "CENTERLINE TRANSIT ALTERNATIVES" Drop by any time during the open house and see Drawings, plans, and video simulations of the various options.

May 16th, 2008- "Bike to Work Day" in San Diego. Support this effort for an alternative mode of transportation, at the same time decrease car pollution and exercise.

May 1st, 2008- 5:30pm to 8:00 pm –"District 3 and 7 Candidates Forum on Mobility Issues" in San Diego. Metro Career Center (3910 University Ave, San Diego)

Please see the flyer for more information: English, Spanish

If you are interested in attending please contact Alana or Juan at (619) 584-1535, ahowell@cityheightscdc.org or jaramirez@cityheightscdc.org

April 2nd , 2008- 6:00pm to 8:00 pm – Mid City Mobility Coalition Meeting - 4283 El Cajon Blvd. City Heights, CA 92105.

March 25th , 2008- 6:30pm to 8:30 pm - BRT Transit Stops Working Group Meeting- Metro Community Room located at 3910 University Avenue, San Diego, CA 92110. Meeting Documents: Agenda

March 17th, 2008- South California Counties are in the process to create the Multi-County Goods Movement Action Plan. March 17, 2008 is the closing date to provide public comments. For more information you can access www.metro.net/mcgmap

The MCGMAP currently presents inconsistencies in regards to the 2007 San Diego RTP, a future letter of reference will be available.

February 26th, 2008- 6:30pm to 8:30 pm - BRT Transit Stops Working Group Meeting- Metro Community Room located at 3910 University Avenue, San Diego, CA 92110 Meeting Documents: Agenda, San Diego Protocol and Meeting Minutes

February 12th, 2008- 6:30pm to 8:30 pm - BRT Transit Stops Working Group Meeting- Metro Community Room located at 3910 University Avenue, San Diego, CA 92110 Meeting Documents: Minutes

January 29th, 2008- 6:30pm to 8:30 pm - BRT Transit Stops Working Group Meeting- Metro Community Room located at 3910 University Avenue, San Diego, CA 92110. Please see agenda here.

January 15th, 2008- 6:30pm to 8:30 pm - BRT Transit Stops Working Group Meeting- Metro Community Room located at 3910 University Avenue, San Diego, CA 92110. Please see minutes here.

January 12th, 2008- Mid City residents and Community Activists were interviewed by a San Diego Union Tribune reporter to bring an update on the CENTERLINE PROJECT. To see the article click here.

November 30th, 2007- SANDAG’s Board of Directors will be asked to certify the 2007 RTP Environmental Impact Report and to adopt the 2007 Regional Transportation Plan. The proposed EIR will be available for review the week of November 19th. For more information on the meeting click here.

November 27th, 2007- 6:30 pm - YOU ARE ENCOURAGED TO ATTEND A MEETING ON THE SR-15 BUS RAPID TRANSIT PROJECT - Metro Career Center Community Room- 3910 University Ave, City Heights. Click here for more information.

November 9th, 2007- 10:00 am, SANDAG’s Board of Directors will hold a meeting where the Board will be asked to adopt the 2007 RTP. Some changes will be discussed, including the elimination of the Mid City segment of the I-15 in the Goods Movement Action Plan. Click here for more information.

October 31st, 2007- A great step toward the construction of the University Avenue and El Cajon Blvd. Transit Plazas was taken. Staff from the City of San Diego, Caltrans, SANDAG and member of different City Heights organizations met to start discussing the process to redesign the transit stations.

October 5th, 2007- The Transportation Committee will include 4 important items related to mobility issues in Mid City. Click here to see agenda.

1. Changes on the Regional Comprehensive Fare Ordinance. Increases on public transit fares, elimination of transfers, etc…

2. Assist to the Public Hearing to provide public input, SANDAG will receive comments on proposed amendments to the Comprehensive Fare Ordinance during this meeting. Click here for sample letter.

3. Informational Item on I-15 Mid City Transit Stations (El Cajon Blvd. and University Ave. Transit Stations). Click here to see CHCDC Comments.

4. The Transportation Committee is asked to discuss and approve the recommended process and criteria for selecting transportation projects for the FY 2009 federal appropriations cycle. Click here to see CHCDC Comments.

October 5th, 2007- Closing date to provide input on the Environmental Impact Report (EIR) of the 2007 Regional Transportation Plan. The EIR evaluates the environmental impacts that will be caused by projects included in the 2007 RTP. Click here to download the EIR. The City Heights Mobility Coalition will forward EIR input samples at a later date.

September 17th, 2007- Closing date to provide input on the Regional Transportation Plan. The City Heights Mobility Coalition and City Heights Residents requests all interested parties to send written comments to SANDAG. We and some of our allies have been reviewing the 2007 RTP and have identified some issues that we believe are important to stress in order for us to have a better chance to see our project built with all the elements we are requesting. Consider the points in the sample letter. Click here for sample letter.

Thank you for your support and please contact the CHCDC at (619) 584-1535, if you have any questions or require additional information.

September 14th, 2007- RTP Public Comment -The Regional Transportation Plan is the footprint document describing transportation projects in the San Diego Region that are considered to be constructed and we have the opportunity to comment on the 2007 RTP. SANDAG will hold a Public Hearing on the RTP on September 14, 2007 Board of Directors meeting from 10:00 am til 12 noon. Click for Details

August 29th, 2007- Mobility Forum -City Heights Mobility Coalition and Friends, Please "Save the Date" for Wednesday, August 29, 1:00PM. 3910 University Avenue, San Diego, CA 92105

e-mail: info@cityheightscdc.org for details.

See the results of the Mobility Forum

July 28, 2007- Mayor Jerry Sanders will be holding an open forum regarding the General Plan, Saturday, July 28th, 2007. Please join the City Heights CDC at Metro Career Center in the San Diego Workforce Partnership office, 3910 University Avenue, San Diego, CA 92105.

In making public comments regarding the mobility portion of the General Plan regarding transit, walkability and bicycle circulation. For more information please contact Joyce Brown: (619) 795-6618.

July 14, 2007- Strategic Planning on Mobility Rusults in Coalition for City Heights Residents, Businesses and Stakeholders. Click for Details

June 22, 2007- The draft 2007 Regional Transportation Plan will be presented to Sandag's Board of Directors for their adoption. Our objective is to have this project (including BRT lanes in the median of the I-15 Mid-City segment) included in this plan.

June 7 and 14, 2007- As part of the Regional Transportation Plan, SANDAG needs to prepare an Environmental Impact Report. In order to prepare it they need to gather public participation. At this point, people can express their environmental concerns on any of the projects or alternatives considered for the RTP. Another way to provide public input is by e-mailing (stu@sandag.org) or writing before June 24.

June 02, 2007- the Centerline Campaign Group will have a booth at the International Village Celebration (IVC) 2007, which will be held at the City Heights Urban Village Park located at Fairmount Ave. one block south of University Ave.

At this event (IVC 2007) a mini-rally will be held at 2:00 pm by centerline supporters demanding our government to build this project.

April 11th - View the April 11th Land Use and Housing meeting here: BRT Video

April 11th - The request for a resolution supporting the Centerline will be heard by the Committee on Land Use and Housing on April 11th. Please contact us to see how you can help support this issue.

The meeting starts at 2:00pm at the COUNCIL COMMITTEE ROOM (12TH FLOOR), CITY ADMINISTRATION BUILDING, 202 C STREET, SAN DIEGO, CALIFORNIA

For information, contact Elyse Lowe, Council Committee Consultant
202 C Street, 3rd Floor, San Diego, CA 92101
Email: ELowe@sandiego.gov
619-533-5897

April 10th - Show your support for the Centerline! There will be a Rally and Press Conference held on the City Heights Transit Plaza on University Avenue and the I-15 at 5:30 PM. See the results!

January 30th- Following a request by City Heights residents for the City Council to docket a resolution supporting the Centerline, Council President Scott Peters referred the issue to the Council's Committee on Land Use and Housing, chaired by Councilmember Jim Madaffer.

A committee hearing will provide an opportunity for the community to present its case and for individuals to voice their support to the Councilmembers on the committee.

We will post an update as soon as the issue is docketed at LU&H.

January 30th- Residents of Mid-City address City Council on a non-agenda item requesting to have commitments made regarding Transit on I-15 reaffirmed. Residents hope for a referral to committee and a resolution. [Click for draft resolution]