The Rio Vista Platform Design Project is a forward-looking infrastructure retrofit aimed at enhancing the long-term safety and stability of the Rio Vista Station, a key stop along the San Diego Metropolitan Transit System’s (MTS) Green Line. This line serves as a vital transit corridor, connecting communities from Santee to downtown San Diego, with daily ridership reaching tens of thousands of passengers who rely on its efficiency and accessibility.
Located in the heart of the Mission Valley area just north of the I-8/Texas Street/Qualcomm Way interchange, Rio Vista Station plays a central role in an urbanized, residential neighborhood. Originally constructed in 1999, alongside an adjacent apartment complex completed in 2003, the station has become an integral part of the community’s transportation landscape.
Over the years, MTS has taken a proactive approach in monitoring and maintaining the integrity of its transit infrastructure. Recent evaluations at Rio Vista Station, including the installation of monitoring points, revealed gradual movement in some of the station’s supporting structures. Contributing factors include:
- Loose or soft materials within the upper five feet beneath the platform
- Expansive or unsuitable backfill materials used in the original MSE wall construction
- Potential slackening of soil reinforcement systems
- Settlement of underlying fill materials
To reinforce and future-proof the station, the project will implement several key retrofitting strategies, including tie rods, tie-back anchors, replacement of select cast-in-place walls, and surface drainage improvements. These improvements are designed to not only stabilize the station’s infrastructure but also ensure a safer, more reliable experience for riders for years to come. This important effort reflects MTS’s ongoing commitment to safe, sustainable, and rider-focused transit solutions, and marks another step in supporting resilient urban mobility across the San Diego region.