SAN DIEGO–San Diego Association of Governments SANDAG has been awarded $100 million by the California Transportation Commission (CTC) to build two high occupancy vehicle (HOV) lanes – one in each direction – on Interstate 805 between Palomar Street and State Route 94.
“These lanes will provide choices for drivers in South County – allowing carpoolers and transit riders to access the HOV lanes and quickly travel back and forth to downtown San Diego,” SANDAG Executive Director Gary Gallegos said.
The CTC committed to funding the I-805 project at its June 22-23 meeting in Long Beach. SANDAG competed with a dozen other projects in Southern California for funding and managed to secure nearly 60 percent of the $168 million available for Southern California.
The CTC awarded funds under Proposition 1B approved by California voters in November 2006. The measure authorized $4.5 billion in general obligation bond proceeds to improve high-congestion travel corridors.
SANDAG’s success in securing Proposition 1B money means the region can better leverage its local dollars and reduce borrowing costs to advance projects. Proposition 1B funds will not be disbursed to SANDAG until the state sells bonds, currently anticipated to occur this fall.
The California Department of Transportation will build the HOV lanes in two phases. The first phase of the project – I-805 between SR 54 and SR 94 – is expected to be awarded to a contractor in March 2012. The second phase – I-805 between Palomar Street and SR 54 – is expected to be awarded in April 2012.
As part of the project, SANDAG will provide local matching funds to build sound walls and direct access ramps.
