SANDAG and Caltrans have released a new plan for the Kumeyaay Corridor, running along I-8 and connecting Mission Valley and East County communities. Plans like these help SANDAG compete for funds from local, state, and federal allocations. So let’s take a look at this new plan, which should be completed in 2024.

New Trolley Line!

First things first: there’s a new Trolley line on this map, running from a new Port Transit Center (possibly near the current Middletown station) to Ocean Beach.

Gondola

There is a new proposed “skyway” style system between Hillcrest and Fashion Valley. This line is long term, so likely to be completed after 2035. There are no specific details on this project that we’re aware of yet.

Modified and unmodified Rapid routes

Right now, there’s no direct definition for these terms on the map, however it’s implied that this would be a Rapid route with bus lanes (unmodified) and mixed flow running (modified).

Rapid 10

Rapid 10 is a proposed transit line currently under study going from La Mesa and Old Town via University Ave and the current Route 10 corridor with a mix of mixed flow and dedicated lanes. This line may be extended to Ocean Beach depending on if corridor alternative 1 or 2 is chosen. Additionally, this line is very short term, with a completion goal of 2025.

Rapid 41

Rapid 41 will run between UCSD and Hillcrest via Fashion Valley and Clairemont and will feature almost entirely side running bus lanes. This is a short term project, however there is no date known at this time. There will be dedicated Journal coverage of this project soon.

Purple Line

The Purple Line is a proposed regional transit line going from Sorrento Valley to San Ysidro, taking an inland route. Part of SANDAG’s vision for a network of “Transit Leap” lines, we’re not sure how many of its characteristics the Purple Line will take from the existing Trolley lines, heavy metro, or regional rail. We will have continuing dedicated Journal coverage for this line soon. The line factors into the Kumeyaay Corridor thanks to its stop at Stadium station for a Green Line transfer, also at Stadium station would be a Direct Access Ramp (DAR) from I-15 for a transfer to the 235 Rapid in Alt 1. Purple Line is long term (likely after 2035), while I-15 DAR is a midterm project that will likely be complete before 2035.

Alternatives

There are currently 2 alternatives for the corridor, numbered 1 and 2. For the Ocean Beach segment of the corridor, the 2 alternatives are a Trolley line to OB or a Rapid 10 extension to OB. The Trolley project would be completed long term, likely not until after 2035, while the Rapid project would be completed by 2025. If the Trolley alternative for this project is chosen, Rapid 10 will terminate at Old Town station. A direct access ramp (DAR) from 163 for express buses at Fashion Valley station and Stadium station would also be included in Alt 1 with no equivalent Alt 2 project. One line that is exclusive to Alt 2 is Rapid 120, spanning from Downtown to Kearny Mesa via Mission Valley. Alt 1 includes adding 3rd tracks to the Green and Orange Lines to run express service patterns, and adding third tracks plus significant grade separations to the Blue Line for express service. This would be long term, but improvements would likely be delivered over time. There is no Alt 2 equivalent project. The Skyway from Hillcrest to Fashion Valley is also alternative 1 only.

Sources and original documents

March 2024 Draft Comprehensive Multimodal Corridor Plan

State of the Corridor

Transportation Solutions, Cost Estimates and Phasing Results

Relevant Document Review"