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SANDAG green lights 2030 road plan
By: DAVE DOWNEY - Staff Writer | ∞
SAN DIEGO -- Regional leaders Friday adopted a $57 billion blueprint for San Diego County highway, rail and bus line improvements, despite an 11th-hour objection by the attorney general asserting that the blueprint fails to address global warming.
The San Diego Association of Governments board voted 16-2 to give final approval for a regional transportation plan that promises to expand the freeway system by 38 percent in total lane miles between now and 2030, widening Interstates 5 and 15, and Highways 76, 78 and 56 in North County.
It also would deliver long-desired ramps connecting I-5 and Highway 78.
The plan promises to extend San Diego's Trolley light-rail system north to University Towne Center, while launching a foray into a system of fast buses built on the backbone of exclusive freeway lanes and special treatment on city streets.
One such street would be El Camino Real through coastal North County, where traffic signals would give buses a head start on cars when lights turn green.
But the state's attorney general, Jerry Brown, charged Thursday in a letter that the plan is not nearly green enough to comply with the state's new climate change laws, which aim to reduce the greenhouse gas emissions believed to be causing global warming.
Deputy Attorney General Sandra Goldberg said that the blueprint will result in a sharp increase in car travel and a corresponding increase in greenhouse gases such as carbon dioxide being emitted locally.
Association officials conceded that emissions kicked up by San Diego County's transportation system will grow by about one-third under the plan. But they said their analysis shows that an alternative plan that pours billions more into trains and buses would actually increase emissions by slightly more between now and 2030.
Goldberg took issue with that conclusion, saying the association's environmental report prepared for the plan gave no explanation for it.
But the agency stood by that conclusion Friday.
"Our research found that, given our existing land-use patterns, a transit-oriented alternative would not reduce greenhouse gas emissions because there's not enough money ... to add the transit capacity it would take to serve every person in every cul-de-sac," said spokeswoman Colleen Windsor, by e-mail. "Even if we shifted as much money as possible to transit, you would still end up with traffic congestion and some auto trips that would emit more pollution."
Gary Gallegos, the association's executive director, said the late arrival of the attorney general's letter -- nearly two months after the public comment period for the environmental document closed -- caught everyone by surprise.
Gallegos said he spoke with Brown by phone late Thursday and offered to sit down later to discuss whether the plan should be amended to try to trim greenhouse gas emissions.
"The attorney general seemed agreeable to that," he said.
Board member Jerome Stocks of Encinitas suggested that Brown be invited to the board's annual January retreat in Borrego Springs to talk about the role transportation plans should pay in combating global warming. This plan is the first in San Diego County to even discuss global warming. Such plans are updated every four years.
While Gallegos reassured board members, some expressed concern about the implications of the letter.
One member reminded colleagues that the attorney general sued San Bernardino County last spring, alleging that county's general plan did not comply with the state's new climate change laws. The suit has since been settled.
"This is a good wake-up call," said San Diego Councilman Jim Madaffer, saying cities and the county government should be prepared to be challenged if general plan revisions don't address greenhouse gases.
"This is potentially a legal issue for us," added board member and Oceanside Mayor Jim Wood. "I'm still concerned that there is an AG letter floating around out there that someone could use to launch a legal challenge to the plan."
As for the plan itself, it in large part calls for much more of what is being built now on I-15 between Rancho Penasquitos and Escondido -- special lanes that cater to a combination of buses, car pools and solo commuters willing to pay a toll. Such lanes are planned for I-5 between Del Mar and Oceanside and Interstate 805 in San Diego.
In addition, toll lanes -- like those in the middle of Highway 91 in Orange County -- are to be built in the medians of Interstates 5 between Oceanside and San Clemente and 15 between Escondido and Temecula.
Ron Roberts, chairman of the San Diego County Board of Supervisors, expressed concern about the emerging emphasis on toll lanes.
"We're gravitating toward a system where people who can pay will roll along on the freeways and people who can't will sit and wait," Roberts said.
But, he said, no plan is perfect and this one was worth supporting.
Not so, said Solana Beach Mayor Lesa Heebner and Del Mar Councilwoman Crystal Crawford, in casting the lone dissenting votes. They said the plan does not commit enough funds to building a robust public transit system.
Duncan McFetridge, chairman of the conservation group Save Our Forest and Ranchlands, suggested that the plan's lack of transit emphasis threatens not only global warming, but also the county's $160 billion economy. He also asserted that the plan would pave the way for development of natural treasures such as the Guejito Ranch east of Escondido.
"Roads bring land to the marketplace," McFetridge said.
Those comments prompted board member and Poway Mayor Mickey Cafagna to make clear what the $57 billion would go for.
"We aren't building any new roads," Cafagna said. "What we are doing today is expanding our existing roads to their maximum capacity."
But as far as former state Sen. James Mills, D-San Diego, was concerned, increasing road capacity was nothing short of a blueprint for boosting San Diego County's population from 3 million to 4 million by 2030.
"This will make San Diego another Los Angeles," Mills told the board. "I don't know anyone who wants another million residents in San Diego County." Three decades ago, Mills authored legislation that created the Trolley system.
Board member Ron Morrison, National City's mayor, said forecasts indicate 1 million new residents are coming whether the region builds roads or not -- and that 60 percent of them will be children born to San Diego County families.
Near the conclusion of a two-hour discussion, Supervisor Bill Horn quipped: "Unless we are going to castrate everybody at 10 years of age, we might as well as support this plan."
Contact staff writer Dave Downey at (760) 745-6611, Ext. 2623, or ddowney@nctimes.com.
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Lane wrote on Nov 30, 2007 11:02 PM:A good short term fix would be to impose a substantial toll on those using the freeways during peak hours (I.e. rush hours on weekdays) every other day. For those license plates ending in a specific odd or even number, toll free travel on the freeway would be based on odd or even days. Personalized plates would also have a similar lettering system that would permit every other day travel without paying a toll. This would go a long way toward alleviating traffic congestion and generating car pools, while generating tax monies that agencies seem to covet.
Amused wrote on Nov 30, 2007 11:27 PM:The best part of the discussion is where Del Mar and Solana Beach voted against the plan because they didn't want ANY money togo to roads or highways as it should ALL go to transit! This from the two cities in the county most allergic to smart growth high density projects... Priceless!
BOB wrote on Dec 1, 2007 4:41 AM:SANDAG is the overdevelopment engine driving San Diego County in to the ditch. And Jerome Stocks is so out of touch with the residents of Encinitas it's almost comical.
Crazy Idea wrote on Dec 1, 2007 6:00 AM:How about the government actually using that 66 cents it collects for EVERY gallon of gas we buy and using it to expand the transportation infrastructure like they are supposed to?
Blowing Horns wrote on Dec 1, 2007 6:26 AM:Bill Horn, How many people can our water supply support? How many people before our air quality suffers? How many people until it becomes so miserable that all the smart people move away? How much capacity do our land fills have?
Trotsky wrote on Dec 1, 2007 6:45 AM:To meet the global warming standards, people are going to have to move to more centralized areas. Suburbs will have to be banned and torn down. The government must implement force to move these people back into centralized areas. Interstate travel must be limited to goods and services. The people will be issued national ID cards to limit their movement from state to state. Forced one child law per couple will be passed. Welcome to the world's new socialism.
I like roads.. wrote on Dec 1, 2007 8:04 AM:I have a car so roads are good!! Jerome Stocks may be out of touch with Encinitas, but he was elected twice and beat several candidates, including one candidate named BOB!!
Correction wrote on Dec 1, 2007 8:40 AM:SB and DM voted to put the extra $10 billion all toward transit, NOT the entire $57bill all toward transit. Both are built out but doing their best to add density where possible. Heck the project proposed at SB's train station has proposed density of 65 units/acre ....something I doubt they'll go for as none of their residents support that. Even 20 units/acre is huge for a small beach city.
Brown's Green is Gold wrote on Dec 1, 2007 8:47 AM:Jerry Brown and CA's Green Strandards are ment to put the Gold into his and his cronies pockets by taking it fromt he serfs (the "little people") through social reform and restrictive laws. If you can't achieve your social agenda and Communism by selling the people on their benefits, then you use the Law to force it upon the people. But, to prevent the people from revolting against you while you slowly take their freedoms away, you invent a Global Crisis and if anybody challenges your hypothsis you simply call them "selfish" and "ignorant." The social pressures placed upon the people through these new laws that on the surface claim to be for the "good of the people" (a Communist Manafesto slogan), are really only entended to beat the general populace into submittion so that the few elites can have total control and enjoy their own personal luxuries at the expense of the masses. One need only look that the history of this world and see that it ahs always been this way, except for a very short period primarily in but one small country: the USA. Oh how they hate that one Country's belief in freedom and individual rights!
Warner: wrote on Dec 1, 2007 9:16 AM: Did you feel that? It wasn't an earthquake - it was that old SANDAG tug on our wallets - reaching into the year 2030. And what is their concern? Getting the customer to the market place, so stated above, an indication that their efforts are for merchants rather than the citizens. How about concentrating on getting people to work more efficiently. I will ride a bus to work every time a member of SANDAG does. In addition, let us forget the term "Global Warming." It is a term used world wide in an effort to jerk more money out of the USA. Let us call it what it is - the warming of the earth. Their is an argument going on that the warming is man made. Others say that it is a natural thing. Who cares? If it is a natural thing what can we do but cope. We know for sure that at the least we are causing some of it, and that is where we should concentrate our efforts. We can smell, taste, and breathe the hydrocarbons;i.e., and to deny that they are there, shortening our lives and adding to our medical cost, is dumb. so, work hard on getting rid of them. In addition we must address the condition and repairs of our infrastructure. There is a lot to do since we have neglected to take action until now. do these things and the people will get to the market place with ease.
Karl wrote on Dec 1, 2007 9:27 AM:I'd like to see a toll imposed on southbound 15 commuters just north of Fallbrook.
To Lane wrote on Dec 1, 2007 10:48 AM:Not everyone chooses their work hours, their appointment times, or health crises or school times. The proposal for toll roads is absolutely abominable. WE ALL paid taxes for this already. Once again the elite get to fly by the rest of us middle-classers.
Hey wrote on Dec 1, 2007 2:47 PM:Should there even be a "free" society in 2030. Recent past history has shown how little of the previous road and transportation plans have came, had come to pass. How about the 480 million dollars for an expired RR in North county? LOL. There may well be no middle class, so who will be driving on the roads and who will be riding the buses and trains? Work while it is day light, for the night is coming when no one can work. Get Real and Get today!
Roy wrote on Dec 1, 2007 6:01 PM:Thanks to Sandag policy past and future San Diego County will continue its downward quality of life spiral.
Get BOB... wrote on Dec 1, 2007 9:48 PM:BOB ... fails to understand that SANDAG is merely implimenting state mandates and efficiently adminstering CalTrans' projects. Dispite his projections, Jerome Stocks is clearly not out of touch with Encinitas as he was eleced and re-elected, and has now been selected by the SANDAG Board to be a Vice-Chairman of their organization,which is quite an honor. Unlike BOB who was dismissed by the voters twice, is clearly envious of Mr. Stocks' success, and has limited credibility or veracity.
Walt wrote on Dec 2, 2007 2:46 PM:That’s the same Jerry Brown whose “Era of Limits” as Governor in the 1970’s decimated California’s congestion beating highway plan. Build more mass transit and “they” will come to absorb the growth! 30+ years later “they” haven’t shown up, and highway congestion keeps getting worse. Why is he complaining now? San Diego has followed his transit-oriented rule religiously. Never mind commuter congestion cost and greenhouse gas generating delay are five times higher. And share of congestion during peak travel is three times higher. Why are the factors causing those not up for legal action? RTP 2007 is aggravating congestion due to excessive transit support. But at least it disproves transit has a big advantage with greenhouse gases. Why not more pressure for cleaner more fuel-efficient autos? One-third unit of MPG, say 25.33 vs 25, improvement saves more fuel than the entire transit system uses. It would take a whole new transit system every year to keep up with projected population induced travel demand. The Attorney General’s office could help initiate truly new Automated Personal Transport that can replace both cars and mass transit using less energy and land. Meanwhile we need to Support Our Freeways And Roads. Despite high minded greenhouse discussions, and hearing RTP 2007 is now a work in progress not a lock box voters mandated, most meeting comments were back to the “get people out of cars” litany.
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