SAN DIEGO–County Supervisors Kristin Gaspar and Jim Desmond are calling on San Diego county residents to contact their elected representatives and voice their opposition against any modification to the 2004 TransNet Ordinance that would take money from unfunded highway projects to develop SANDAG staff’s new vision for a regional transportation plan.
At a news conference Monday in Solana Beach, the supervisors said SANDAG’s new vision as proposed abandons critical improvements promised to North and East County residents for the State Routes 78, 52 and 67, in favor of public transit for San Diego.
In 2004 San Diegans voted to approve a half-cent sales tax for critical roads and highways expansions and improvements in North and East Counties. The improvements would have eased congestion on the highways.
“San Diegans” have lost faith in SANDAG,” Supervisor Gaspar said. “They can’t be trusted to follow through with their promises to voters.” In 2004, SANDAG persuaded voters to approve a half cent sales tax in exchange for critical highway improvement and expansion projects in East and North County.
SANDAG’s has decided to change the 40-year plan in favor of a high-speed rail project at the expense of North and East Counties, according to the supervisors. They said not having viable roads will make it very difficult for first responders to access those areas and for residents to evacuate Ramona during a wildfire.
“Even with SANDAG’s new vision, 90 percent of people are still going to be in cars,” Supervisor Desmond said. “We’re only 11 years into a 40-year tax and it is being suggested that we not do those projects but that the taxpayers continue to pay that tax for the next 29 years.”
Gaspar and Desmond are urging residents to hold SANDAG accountable. They’ve created a website, StopTransNetRaid.com for residents to email their concerns.
