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September 14; 201�
SA\DAG Board of Directors `
401 B Sireet
San Dieeo. CA
Re: San Die�o Forw�ard: The Re�ional Plan
Dear S?.\TD?,G Boazd iVieuibers:
Thauk vou for the opporunity to comment on the Drafr San Diego Feru�ard: The Regional Plan
(Drafr Plan) and thank you to the staff who have urorked so hard these past couple of years to
complete this drafr.
As current Altemates oa the S:�\�DAG Board of Directors and Citv Councilmembers
representin� tbe citizens of National City, we believe it is critical to provide feedback and ensure
that we at SA\TDAG focus on environmental and economic sustainability by investing in
ffansportation infrastructure that is faster, more efficient, provides more choices; promotes a
healthy em-ironment, and promotes equity in traditionally overburdened communities such as
\ationa] City. Althoueh the Draft Plan does include projects such as ihe proposed "Purple Line'
Trolle�• which meets these goals; projects such as the proposed I-� Widenine aze more
environmentallv and economically costly than ianovative; transit-focused altematives. In
_ addition; the Draft Plan in its current form does not reach our proportionate share of state-
mandzted GHG emission reduction taz�ets.
The proposed "Puiple Line" Trolley is an example of an ambitious and innovative mobilitv
project that would promo[e a healthy environment and economic up��ard mobility by connecting
National City and South Bay communities with Keamy Mesa; one of cbe reeion s larsest
emplo}�nent centers. \��e ]ook fonvard to working with S?.\'DAG to make this project a reality
beiore 2035.
Although the proposed IS �tiidenin� is bein� promoted as supporcina transit che project also
includes Gene:al Perpose Lanes for the entire tiational Citv se�ment that coes not serve transit. .
The proposed Rapid Bus (Route 640) would operate oa the 1-� ?vlanaged Lznes; whose use
would be shazed bv hish-occupancy vehicles,and potentially congesion-priced single-occupancy
uers; therefore limiting the effecriceness of the Rapid Bus, paricelarlv du;;no high tra�ic
levels.
Office of.he City Council
i243 Nationzl City Boulevard, National City, C,A 9i�50-4301
0"19/336-4241 Fax 619/336-4239 wv✓w.raiin���cicvca.eov
We request that SANDAG replate the I-5 Widening and Rapid Bus scheduled ror tompletion in 2035 with
the Blue Line Express (Route 540�, a project that was originally proposed in the previous 2011 Regional
Transporation Plan. This is a projett that the communities along the I-5 and Blue line Trolley corridor
advocated for in the public hearing process, and one that better promotes environmental sustainability.
With the proposed Blue Line Express costing$391 million and the combi�ed I-5 Widening and Rapid Bus
Route 640 costing $744 million, our request is economically sustainable and would save $353 million
that could be spent on protected bike lanes, sidewalk improvements, smart growth incentives, and
other mobility projects throughout the South Bay. .
Finally, we ask that SANDAG explore further alternatives to freeway expansions, similar;to.innovative :
work underway for SR-94. Those innovative altematives include converting existing general purpose
lanes to managed lanes to accommodate Ropid routes and explore the usage of existing right-of-way for
transit only lanes.
We stand with our constituents in National City who have asked us to support a San Diego Forward:The
Regional Plan thai has a more signincant movement toward reducing greenhouse gas emissions and
towards ensuring trensportation justice.
Sincerely,
e
Mona Rios, Councilmember Alejandra Sotelo-Solis, Councilmember
City of National City City of National City