Oct 18th 2019 | Posted in Transportation by Government Contracting Pipeline

California – The San Diego Association of Governments (SANDAG) released a report detailing plans to improve transit to and from the San Diego International Airport. Four separate options are outlined and range in cost from $1.8 billion to $4.7 billion.

SANDAG Grand Central Station rendering San Diego officials favor $4.7B people mover plan near airport

Rendering of ‘Grand Central Station’ concept

Officials are in favor of the most expensive option: building a multi-level Grand Central Station and an underground people mover connecting to the airport. Cost estimates range from $3.9 billion to $4.7 billion to develop the concept. The station would sit on Navy property north of the airport. The underground people mover would run 80 feet below ground and take travelers directly to the airport via a one-mile tunnel.

Daily ridership could total 40,000 passengers and reduce airport traffic by as much as 30 percent, with a travel time of about three minutes. The other options under consideration include an elevated people mover from the Navy property, an elevated people mover from the proposed transit hub near the Rental Car Center, and an extension of the existing trolley system.
The SANDAG board will vote in October on a request to spend $50 million on further planning work and a two-year study. Officials will also explore potential funding sources, including federal grants.