U.S. Department of Transportation Funds San Diego Trolley Extension

San Diego residents will benefit from improved rail service as a result of a $26.5 million grant to the Metropolitan Transit Development Board announced today by U.S. Secretary of Transportation Norman Y. Mineta.  The grant will be used to connect the Blue and Orange lines along the San Diego Trolley System, providing East County and South Bay riders with easier access to business, residential and recreational centers.

“Expanding and upgrading the San Diego Trolley System offers residents more options and better connections to jobs, shopping, and entertainment centers,” said Secretary Mineta. “President Bush understands that good transit investments play a vital role in strengthening and sustaining the local workforce, easing congestion and stimulating economic growth.”

The Metropolitan Transit Development Board will use the $26.5 million for its Mission Valley East Light Rail Transit extension project, a 5.9-mile long connector that will link the two existing Blue and Orange Trolley Lines for the first time.  The extension will operate as part of the new Green line and will fill in the gap between Qualcomm Station in San Diego and Grossmont Center Station in La Mesa. Along its route, the extension will include four new stations at Grantville, San Diego State University, Alvarado Medical Center and 70th Street. In addition, 11 new low-floor light rail vehicles will be purchased to serve the entire system.

When completed in summer 2005, the Mission Valley East Light Rail Extension will improve San Diego’s transportation network by creating more options for getting around the region.  It will provide new mobility and easier access to some of the region's most popular destinations and commercial and employment centers. Running parallel to Interstate 8, the line will also help ease congestion on one of the area’s most traveled highways.  It is estimated that by 2015 the project will serve 10,800 daily riders.

Today’s grant brings the total federal funding for this project to $240,617,696.